Rail Baltica tracklaying begins in Lithuania
Lithuania has started laying the first tracks on the new Rail Baltica main line, marking a visible construction milestone for the EUR 5.8 billion TEN-T flagship project connecting the Baltic states to the European rail network.
German-Estonian joint venture Leonhard Weiss has commenced tracklaying on an 8.8 km section between Šveicarija and Žeimiai in Jonava district under a EUR 13.9 million contract awarded by Lithuanian infrastructure manager LTG Infra, according to Rail Baltica project promoter RB Rail AS. The work involves installing 42 km of rails, 29,500 concrete sleepers and 86,200 tonnes of ballast.
The tracklaying represents the first physical construction of the new double-track electrified Rail Baltica main line in Lithuania, following years of embankment and structural preparation work. Lithuania already operates a single-track 1435mm gauge line from the Polish border to Kaunas, inaugurated in 2015, but the new Rail Baltica corridor will provide higher speeds and full electrification.
Construction momentum builds
Rail Baltica has faced repeated delays since its conception, but construction momentum has accelerated significantly in 2025. Lithuania now has 114 km under construction, with 43% of the mainline across all three Baltic states expected to be construction-ready by year-end, according to RB Rail AS.
In September 2025, Rail Baltica signed a EUR 1.77 billion electrification contract with Cobelec, Europe’s largest railway electrification tender. The project has secured over EUR 4 billion in EU Connecting Europe Facility funding and national co-financing.
Geopolitical priority
NATO military mobility requirements have become a central driver for Rail Baltica following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The 870 km corridor through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Poland is now viewed as strategically critical for defence and security in Eastern Europe.
“Every railway track strengthens the security of our country and the EU’s eastern border,” said Juras Taminskas, Lithuania’s Minister of Transport and Communications.
Outlook: The 8.8 km section is scheduled for completion by end-2025, with remaining tracklaying work continuing through Q1 2027. Phase 1 single-track operations target 2030, though funding gaps remain for the full double-track Phase 2.
Bottom Line: For operators, rolling stock procurement planning must begin now for 2030 operations. For suppliers, Lithuania’s August 2025 construction awards totalling EUR 235 million demonstrate accelerating procurement activity. The project’s NATO prioritisation means delivery timelines are under heightened political scrutiny.