In the border section of the country near Lazdijai, road infrastructure renovation works are planned, the border area is managed

This year, the Directorate of Motor Roads of Lithuania is paying more attention to the renewal and development of the infrastructure of border road sections. The company signed a contract for road renovation works near the Lazdijai border crossing. The territory of the former Lazdijai border checkpoint will also be managed. This year, the Directorate of Roads intends to sign an INTERREG program financing agreement, which would provide an opportunity to renew another 10 km long section between Lithuania and Poland.

According to the contract signed by the Road Directorate today, major road repairs will be carried out from Lazdijai-Akmeni to the border with Poland. The value of the work performance contract is EUR 708,182 including VAT, the work will be performed by UAB “Parama”, the company that won the public tender.

During the renewal of the stretch, it is planned to overhaul the road surface – the projected width of the roadway will reach 7 m. The road will have 2 lanes in different directions with side safety lanes. A common pedestrian and bicycle path has been designed along the entire length of the section. Three entrances to the territories and four exits are planned along the entire stretch. It is planned to install a lane of split granite paving on the right side of the road, maintaining the existing width of the road and leaving the opportunity to stop for traffic, inspection or otherwise. The deadline for the completion of works is 5 months from their commencement.

“Border roads and checkpoints are like a business card of our country. The situation on the Lithuanian-Polish border is unforgivably bad, so we paid a lot of attention to it, so that our companies and institutions prepare road and environmental improvement projects on the border as soon as possible, additional funding was allocated for this, and work was coordinated with the Polish side,” says Minister of Communications Marius Skuodis .

The Road Directorate also plans to renovate 2 more road sections on the Polish border. From Lazdijai to the Polish border, it is planned to renew the almost 9 km stretch of national road no. 2511 Lazdijai–Galiniai and regional road no. 2654, from Senoji Radiškė to Naujii Alksnėnai – a section of almost 4 km. Currently, the design works of these sections are being carried out, after completion, the m. II and III quarters it is planned to initiate public procurement for the performance of works.

This year, the infrastructure management works of the former Lazdijai PKP will be continued.

The Directorate of Border Control Points has prepared a project for the demolition of the Lazdijai PKP buildings and infrastructure repair, and a document allowing the construction has already been received. Most of the structures planned to be demolished in the project will be demolished in 2023. In the near future, the purchase will be done for the purchase of the remaining contract works. The remaining structures will be demolished, parking lots and charging stations for electric cars will be installed, the existing shed will be reconstructed and a checkpoint will be installed, if necessary, border control will be temporarily restored, as well as video surveillance and area lighting systems will be installed. Additional funding is available for this purpose. The works are expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Also this year, the Directorate of Roads together with Lazdijai District. municipality and partners from Poland under the INTERREG program, if the submitted application is approved, they hope to implement more than 6 million project worth EUR. During this project, a 10 km section of the Leipalingis–Kapčiamiestis–Kauknoris road would be repaired. The project would be partially financed by the funds of the EU INTERREG program, the remaining amount – from the general budget of the Road Maintenance and Development Program approved for this year.

“Renovating the border infrastructure is particularly important not only for strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries, but also for representing our country. We have limited funding for the development of Lithuanian road infrastructure, but we try to use it rationally and thoughtfully, and we are also looking for additional sources of funding. This year, after a break of several years, we hope to use the possibilities of the INTERREG program, which would significantly contribute to the improvement of the infrastructure of the border road sections”, says Marius Švaikauskas, Director General of the Road Directorate.

“Lazdijai district is an exceptional municipality, strategically important both in terms of security and tourism. The stretch of the border with Poland alone is almost 100 km. The Lazdijai-Aradnykai border control point in our district, the Lazdijai-Galiniai road and the road from Kapčiamiestis through Kauknoris to Poland had already become a shame not only for the Lazdijai district, but for the whole of Lithuania. For many years, arguments and requests for capital repairs were not heard. However, by concentrating, we managed to identify the biggest problems, solve all legal issues of land and other property ownership, prepare projects, find sources of financing, prepare and carry out public procurement and many other important tasks, thanks to which we can now enjoy the work that is visible to the naked eye”, he says. The mayor of Lazdijai district, Ausma Miškinienė.

The last time the INTERREG program was implemented by the Directorate of Roads in 2014-2020. According to it, 6 sections of state roads in Lithuania and Latvia were jointly reconstructed: in Lithuania – just over 19 km, in Latvia – 27 km.

This year, the Directorate of Roads plans to start the reconstruction work of the last reconstructed section of the “Via Baltica” Marijampolė-Lithuanian and Polish border, which is scheduled to be completed next year. The last section of the “Via Baltica” road, which has not yet been renovated, is located near the Polish border. During the reconstruction of this part, large-scale works will also be carried out at the Kalvarijui border crossing point, essentially renovating the infrastructure of the border crossing point: a 4-lane highway road will be built, a part of the currently existing border infrastructure facilities will be demolished and renovated, an overpass will be installed in the territory, ensuring easy movement between the opposite sides of the highway, the surface of the parking lots in the territory of the border point is renewed, modern lighting is installed, a 5.5-hectare parking lot for light and heavy vehicles, meeting European standards, with security cameras, toilets, etc., is planned at the approaches to the point.

After the completion of the reconstruction of the last, fourth part of Via Baltica, the road leading from Marijampolė to neighboring Poland will be reconstructed into a 4-lane highway meeting the highest modern standards with an impressive infrastructure.

Information from the Ministry of Communications