Track laying has officially started on the Rail Baltica section in Lithuania’s Jonava district, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the European standard-gauge (1435 mm) railway through the country. The first 8.8 km of track between Šveicarija and Žeimiai is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
“Railway construction is moving from planning to actual work – from vision to laying tracks. Rail Baltica is not only a modern transport project, but also a guarantee of security for the entire Baltic region,” said Juras Taminskas, Minister of Transport and Communications of Lithuania. “Every European railway track will strengthen the security of our country and the eastern border of the European Union, ensuring that the people of Lithuania have fast and convenient connections to Western Europe.”
Each 25-metre rail section is being joined and aligned using advanced technologies that meet international standards. To support the works, national project implementer LTG Infra has procured 86,200 tonnes of ballast, 29,500 reinforced concrete sleepers, and 42 kilometres of rails.
“Territorial planning, design, and preparation take up a significant portion of the project timeline. However, construction – especially track laying – is a fast-moving phase. Our priority now is to maintain the momentum we achieved last year and continue progressing at pace,” said Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of LTG Group.
Sustainable investment and economic growth
According to Vytis Žalimas, CEO of LTG Infra, every euro invested in Rail Baltica generates at least two euros in return for the state. “It’s a sustainable investment in the economy, delivering long-term benefits not only to society, but also to employment, tourism, and various business sectors. We are pleased with the progress made by contractors and subcontractors across the entire 77 km construction section—these developments are becoming increasingly visible.”
The contract for the installation of the upper track structure on the Šveicarija–Žeimiai section was awarded to a joint venture between Leonhard Weiss GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) and Leonhard Weiss OÜ (Estonia), valued at EUR 13.9 million (excluding VAT). Once track construction is complete, the high-speed railway will be electrified as part of the largest electrification project in Baltic history.
In September, RB Rail AS, together with the three Baltic States, signed a EUR 1.77 billion (excluding VAT) contract with COBELEC Rail Baltica to electrify the entire route—covering more than 870 km of track across the region.
Progress across the Baltic region
Rail Baltica has entered full-scale construction in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, with mainline works, international stations, and engineering structures advancing across all three countries.
-
In Estonia, construction is underway on 105 km of substructure, including overpasses, junctions, and crossings. Contracts have already been signed for an additional 200 km of substructure and superstructure. Works continue at the flagship Ülemiste Terminal in Tallinn.
-
In Latvia, mainline works are progressing along the southern section near Iecava, linking Riga with the Lithuanian border. The zone has become one of the most active construction areas, with large-scale earthworks and structures advancing along 202 km of planned railway.
-
In Lithuania, work continues along the Kaunas–Panevėžys section, where 77 km of embankments and engineering structures are under development. By the end of 2025, construction will expand to 114 km, including the new bridge over the Neris River, set to become the longest in Lithuania.
By the end of 2025, around 43% of the Rail Baltica mainline will be construction-ready, marking a decisive leap forward for Europe’s most ambitious cross-border rail project—linking the Baltic States with the European high-speed network.
Share on:
