“We have a big ambition to bring all roads in Vilnius to an optimal quality level, so we will abandon the practice of fixing potholes in really bad condition, and we will tackle entire sections of carriageways by asphalting and ensuring that the work is uninterrupted. As the volumes will be high, we will be working both in the morning and in the evening, and in cases where the technological process is already underway and stopping it would require a disproportionate amount of time at the expense of the other roads to be asphalted, we will also work at peak times. Therefore, I ask the patience of Vilnius residents and visitors in advance – minor inconveniences today are necessary for better conditions tomorrow,” says Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas.
As before, work on the capital’s major arteries will be carried out mainly during off-peak hours and at night. In cases where it is necessary to carry out work during peak periods, repairs will be carried out upstream of the main traffic direction or choosing part of the lanes at the same time to avoid creating additional congestion.
Focus on the worst-condition roads
Most of the road repairs will be carried out by UAB Grinda, UAB Kerista, UAB YIT Lietuva and UAB Eurovia Lietuva. New tenders will also be launched for repairs in the western and northern parts of the city.
The total length of asphalted roads in categories A, B and C is 35.8 km, which are the busiest, with the highest car speeds and the highest number of public transport services. Even more attention will be paid to the worst condition category D (slower traffic, residential) roads – 67.1 km of them will be rehabilitated this year. Around 7 km of gravel roads will also be asphalted.
„At the moment, the municipality’s priority is to pave the roads in the worst condition. The priority list for their repair is based on an analysis of the results of road scanning. The repairs will also include some existing gravel roads, and this year we will prioritise those gravel roads that can be repaired the fastest – i.e. where no other additional work is needed, such as storm water networks. Where such work is needed, we will plan it for next year,” says Ilja Karužis, Head of Infrastructure Unit.
For each road, the asphalt surface and other solutions are selected individually, taking into account the intensity and load of the particular road section. The choice of base layers, asphalt concrete overlay material and other parameters shall be stronger than those specified in the guidelines. On the highest volume roads, polymer additives are used in the top layer of asphalt concrete to make the top wearing course more resistant to higher volumes of traffic. All repairs are covered by a 3-year warranty period, during which the contractor will be obliged to repair any defects at its own expense, at no extra cost to the municipality.
Not only pedestrian and cycle paths undergoing repairs, but also stairs
As in the past, the focus will be put on upgrading pedestrian paths. This year, 20.3 km of footpaths will be repaired and another 5.6 km will be built. Vilnius City Municipality will also pay extra attention to the reconstruction of stairs – almost 400 metres of stairs will be renovated.
This year, the renovation of cycle paths will cover just over 8 kilometres of sections. It is planned to increase the intensity of repair and construction work on pedestrian and cycle paths once the most problematic roads have been fixed.
High traffic roads with the largest sections to be repaired this year:
Liepkalnio Street – 2,414 m
Pramonės Street – 2,118 m
Savanorių Avenue – 1,814 m
Laisvės Avenue – 1,746 m
Ateities Street – 1,589 m
Panerių Street – 1,403 m
A. Goštauto Street – 1,399 m
Juodasis Kelias – 1,395 m
Geležinio Vilko Street – 1,159 m
Ozo Street – 1,038 m
Kalvarijų Street – 1,013 m
Pylimo Street – 948 m
