Lietuvos Geležinkėlių (LTG) Group intends to move a locomotive repair depot from the center of the capital. The territory of 3,6 ha in the neighborhood of the old town is of the station district conversion projectVilnius Connect" part. In the future, the territory of the former locomotive repair base with the buildings located here will be able to be adapted to other activities - offices, leisure and shopping places can be located here. It is planned that changes could begin here in 2027.
According to LTG General Director Egidijus Lazauskas, moving the locomotive repair depot from the city center is an important step towards turning the station area into a modern center of mobility, work and leisure.
"The European Rail Baltica track being built through Lithuania will open up new travel opportunities - it will be possible to reach Warsaw, Riga, Pern or Tallinn from Vilnius, so we want the station would become the new city gate, representing Vilnius and Lithuania. Together with the city, an attempt will be made to create a modern and high-quality infrastructure of public transport services and spaces that are convenient for both traveling and being," says E. Lazauskas.
A modern repair depot will be built in Vaidoti
Currently, near the railway station, at Geležinkelio st. 12, the buildings are managed by the Group company "LTG Cargo". Manufacturing, maintenance and repair of railway rolling stock are carried out here. Vilnius railway station after the construction of the European track, a depot suitable for repairing rolling stock intended for this track will be needed. Having also assessed that the access to the current depot would be limited due to the reduced road capacity after the new track, it was decided to move the repair and maintenance services of LTG Cargo locomotives provided in the station area to the future base of the Vaidotai Railway at the station.
A modern, 1435 mm wide depot suitable for gauge and electric locomotives will be designed in Vaidotais by the Lithuanian company UAB TEC Industry and the French companies EGIS RAIL and EGIS Bâtiments International, represented by UAB TEC Industry. A contract for design and additional services has already been signed with these companies, the value of which is almost 2,6 million. euros.
The repair base in Vaidotai will be built next to the already operating LTG Cargo maintenance shop and LTG fuel base. It is planned that 400 jobs will be transferred to the modern depot, maintenance and repair of the "LTG Cargo" locomotive fleet will be carried out here, the depot will also be adapted for the repair of European 1435 mm gauge rolling stock and electric locomotives.
It is planned that the new depot will be designed by 2023. and will open its doors in 2026. After the transfer of activities from the old depot, this area in the center of the capital will be able to be adapted for other activities.
During the implementation of the "Vilnius Connect" project, which creates changes in the station area, it is intended to be modernized Vilnius railway station territory and establish a modern multifunctional mobility, business and leisure center in it. The transformation of the area of almost 33 hectares between Paneriai, Geležinkelis, Stotias and Seinė streets in Naujamiestis is expected to be implemented by 2030.
