Rail Baltica is a railway infrastructure megaproject that spans across several countries. The depth of skills and expertise required to successfully execute a greenfield project of this caliber is extensive and would not be possible without our diverse team of professionals.
Welcome back to our series, “Rail Baltica: The People Behind the Vision,” where we introduce you to the members of the Rail Baltica global project team. These individuals are the driving force advancing the Rail Baltica project with their professionalism, dedication, and passion for this project.
Dovilė Juškevičienė, Environmental and Performance Assessment Expert, RB Rail AS
This week, we are pleased to introduce Dovilė Juškevičienė, Environmental and Performance Assessment Expert at RB Rail AS, who has been part of the Rail Baltica project for nearly four years. With a passion for protecting biodiversity and ensuring that large-scale infrastructure respects its natural surroundings, Dovilė plays a key role in making sure that the railway grows in harmony with the environment. From reviewing designs and monitoring construction sites to shaping sustainable practices across the project, her work highlights Rail Baltica’s commitment to responsibility as well as innovation. Dovilė’s journey reflects how dedicated professionals are not only building a railway but also setting new standards for environmentally conscious infrastructure in the Baltics.
When did you join the Rail Baltica project and what inspired you to become a part of the team?
On July 12, I celebrated the 4th anniversary of my involvement with the Rail Baltica project. Before joining Rail Baltica, I had recently returned from parental leave, and in the position, I held at the time, I felt that I needed more challenges. So, I joined the Rail Baltica project. To be honest, I did not expect to find so many challenges in one place – but each of them has helped me grow as a professional.
How would you explain to a 5-year-old or a slightly older newcomer in the railway industry what you do in Rail Baltica?
I guess my role is one of the easier ones to explain – I am constantly checking whether the new railway line will affect the environment. First, I review the drawings to make sure all environmental aspects are included. Then, I visit the construction site to check whether the soil, water, air, vegetation, and animals are “happy” with what is happening in the greenfield. And finally, I support my colleagues in the Sustainability, Health, and Safety team in planning what should be done – and how – so that forests, flowers, animals, rivers, and soil stay healthy and protected.
What does the Rail Baltica project mean to you?
The thing I am most proud of is that this project is not only a mega project in the Baltics, but also aims to set an example in how it is being implemented – by learning from best practices and adapting them here. By “best practices,” I mean environmental aspects such as biodiversity protection, impact assessments and mitigation measures, opinion-shaping and behaviour-changing actions, etc. It is really amazing to observe how the behaviour of contractors has changed during the construction phase – when they see that, within the project implementation, we have serious goals regarding environmental actions and are expecting those goals to be achieved. Another fact is that I have always found those series on the “Discovery Channel” called How It is Made? very interesting – and now I am watching these series live!
What do you believe is the most challenging aspect of this mega project?
Time. From a time perspective, many key factors have changed – and continue to change: the geopolitical situation, political guidelines, public opinion, financial aspects, and many other elements that evolve over time. But as the saying goes, time heals, and I truly believe that the most challenging aspect will also become one of the main drivers: this long-maturing project is already becoming part of daily life in the Baltics. It will not disappear until it reaches its fully functioning phase.
What hobbies, interests, talents do you have?
In the Lithuanian branch, almost everyone already knows that I love to draw – starting from small pictures such as caricatures to large-scale mural paintings. Some colleagues have received my caricatures as farewell gifts, so I have already used my talent for Rail Baltica in one way or another. The next chapter? Hopefully painting on some Rail Baltica bridge piers or retaining walls.
What would you say is the achievement you are most proud of?
I cannot point to one specific achievement, but on this topic, I would like to highlight how proud I am of the entire Sustainability, Health, and Safety team’s work. Slowly but steadily, we are building a process where all activities are assessed from an environmental perspective – for example, through monthly environmental visits to construction sites – and where more environmental actions are being integrated into project implementation, such as calculating the environmental performance of contractor activities. So I am truly proud of our purposeful and consistent teamwork.
How do you balance home and work life and what advice would you give to other women?
It is hard – nothing to hide. But the key factor here is discipline and honesty with yourself: knowing where the job begins and home ends, even if you are working from home. Be patient and keep striving for that balance. But do not forget the reverse – you are not only part of the project. Keep in mind that work should not consume all your energy. Save some of it for your family, friends, your favourite activities, and your home.