The Government has approved the special plan for the Kaunas–Vilnius section of the Rail Baltica project. The Government’s decision also provides for the commencement of land acquisition procedures for public needs in the Kaunas and Jonava districts.
The extension of the European standard‑gauge railway to Vilnius is planned to follow the completion of the main Rail Baltica line. In 2024, the three Baltic States and the European Commission agreed to prioritize the construction of the main Rail Baltica line connecting Poland with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. It is envisaged that the necessary funding for the Kaunas–Vilnius connection will be secured from the forthcoming EU financial period.
Land acquisition in the municipalities of Kaišiadorys District, Elektrėnai, Trakai District, Vilnius City, and Vilnius District is planned to start in 2030.
“Rail Baltica is a cornerstone of Lithuania’s transport connectivity and military mobility with Europe. Approval of this special plan is an important step towards strengthening the national transport system and enhancing regional security. The current priority is to accelerate construction works along the North–South Corridor,” said Deputy Minister Roderikas Žiobakas.
According to Vytautas Žalimas, Head of LTG Infra – the LTG Group’s infrastructure company responsible for the implementation of Rail Baltica in Lithuania – the Kaunas–Vilnius section is technically complex due to its proximity to urban areas and residential developments.
“This is the final special plan for Rail Baltica in Lithuania. Its approval enables the continued and effective implementation of the project as soon as the required funding is secured. LTG Infra has already concluded agreements on the acquisition of land for public needs,” said Žalimas.
The planned railway line will connect the Kaunas and Vilnius railway nodes and will pass through Paneriai, Lentvaris, north of Vievis, Žasliai, and north of Kaišiadorys. Additional connections are planned to the Vievis and Kaišiadorys regional stations, as well as to Vilnius Airport, the Vilnius Intermodal Terminal, Kaunas Airport, and a future connection towards Panevėžys.
As part of the preparation of the special plan for the Kaunas–Vilnius section, access solutions for land plots were revised, providing for an increased number of grade‑separated crossings for roads and pedestrians, thereby ensuring higher levels of safety and infrastructure convenience for local communities. In Kariotiškės, the existing railway line is planned to be realigned closer to the Rail Baltica corridor, considering community needs. The railway alignment near Rykantai, technical solutions, and high‑speed rail parameters were also refined.
Preliminary engineering‑geological, archaeological and other mandatory surveys have been completed. In addition, a concept was developed comprising four route alternatives for the line and associated infrastructure, including airport rail stations, 1,435 mm standard‑gauge tracks, the Vilnius passenger railway station and intermodal terminal, as well as access and connecting roads.
A strategic environmental impact assessment was also carried out, and solutions were developed for the reconstruction and construction of engineering infrastructure, including heating, electricity, gas and other utility networks.
Once the Rail Baltica section between Vilnius and Kaunas is completed, the non‑stop journey time is expected to be approximately 38 minutes.