Rail Baltica marked the symbolic launch of high-speed and standard turnouts production for the future high-speed line at the voestalpine Railway Systems facility in Valčiūnai, Lithuania.
The event brought together representatives from the Lithuanian Ministry of Transport and Communications, the LTG Group, RB Rail AS, Rail Baltic Estonia, and voestalpine Railway Systems, marking an important milestone in the development of one of the largest railway projects in Central and Eastern Europe.
Framework agreements were signed for the centralized supply of turnouts and other components by the national Rail Baltica implementers in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, together with RB Rail AS. These contracts cover components essential for the long-term operation of the infrastructure, subject to implementation requirements and the availability of funding.
“The construction of the European-gauge railway line in Lithuania has reached an important milestone—the first rails have already been laid, and modern switch systems for high-speed trains will soon be installed on the most advanced section of Rail Baltica in the Jonava area. It is important to emphasize that this infrastructure will be manufactured here in Lithuania, which represents a significant investment in regional security and in faster, more efficient connections with Europe,” said Roderikas Žiobakas, Lithuania’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications.
Turnouts: Key components for Rail Baltica
Turnouts allow trains to switch from one track to another and provide access to stations, terminals, and depots. While rails and sleepers form the basic structure of the railway, turnouts are the elements that enable network connectivity. For a high-speed line such as Rail Baltica, these are complex technical components with high requirements for safety, performance, and reliability.
“We are proud that the production of turnouts for Rail Baltica is beginning here in Lithuania, with the first deliveries scheduled as early as this fall for the construction of the railway superstructure. Our collaboration with voestalpine Railway Systems demonstrates how an international project can generate real value in the region,” said Arūnas Rumskas, interim CEO of LTG Group.
The official also emphasized that investments in Rail Baltica contribute not only to the development of modern infrastructure but also to the creation of jobs, economic partnerships, and business opportunities in the participating countries.
The centralized procurement system will provide a unified technical solution for the entire corridor, facilitating interoperability between infrastructure, signaling, and control systems. At the same time, it will simplify maintenance and reduce complexity throughout the project’s life cycle.
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