LTG Infra has signed a contract with its joint venture partners, AB Kauno tiltai (the lead partner) and UAB Geležinkelio tiesimo centras, to carry out the design and construction work for the new railway connection. The contractor will complete the work within 970 days under the signed agreement. The project is worth almost €25 million.

'The railway link to the Rūdninkai military training area is one of the most significant military mobility projects in recent years. We are making every effort to ensure that this project moves forward as quickly as possible because strengthening Lithuania's defence capabilities will also improve the overall transport infrastructure," said the Minister of Transport, Juras Taminskas.

According to Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of the LTG Group, this project represents a significant investment in the security of Lithuania and the region. "By creating a modern railway infrastructure, we are enabling the rapid and reliable redeployment of military equipment and personnel."

'This is not just an infrastructure project — it is our contribution to the country's defence capabilities, for which we feel a great responsibility,' says E. Lazauskas.

According to Vytautas Žalimas, head of LTG Infra, the project being launched will become an important link in the country's defence infrastructure.

'Working together with contractors and the Ministry of National Defence, we aim to ensure that this link meets all specific military infrastructure standards. It is important to us not only to build, but also to create a solution that is as closely adapted as possible to real operational needs,' says V. Žalimas.

The project involves the construction of a 1,520 mm gauge railway branch line from the Jašiūnai–Stasylos junction to the Rūdninkai military training area. All the necessary railway infrastructure will also be installed, including the roadbed, embankment, bridges, culverts and crossings. The training ground will feature loading and manoeuvring tracks with rear ramps capable of handling heavy military equipment. One of the tracks will have a side ramp, next to which a yard will be built to store cargo and transfer it efficiently from rail to road transport. Connecting roads, lighting and a boarding and disembarking platform specially adapted for soldiers will also be installed.

During the modernisation of the section from Juodšiliai to Jašiūnai and on to the training area, separate contracts will be signed for installing a contact network, new signalling and communication equipment, and a centralised control system for traffic management will be implemented. Before construction begins, all procedures relating to land use decisions and land acquisition for public purposes will be finalised.

Once the project is complete, the Rūdninkai training ground will be more easily accessible by rail, giving Lithuania additional advantages in ensuring the rapid mobility and operational readiness of military equipment and personnel.

The LTG Group, of which LTG Infra is a part, is the largest railway group in the Baltic States. The group operates in three main areas: freight and passenger rail transport, as well as the management, maintenance, and development of public railway infrastructure. The LTG Group consists of the following main subsidiaries: LTG Infra, LTG Cargo, LTG Link, and GTC.