The reconstruction of one of the country's most important railway junctions has gained momentum in Lentvary. Tilsta, the reconstruction company, has started pushing a 64-meter-long, 6720-ton car tunnel consisting of two segments under the operating railway. This type of car tunnel installation technology is being used for the first time in Lithuania and the Baltic States.
"During the reconstruction of the Lentvaris railway crossing, for the first time in Lithuania, we decided to apply the technology of tunnel construction, which is already used all over the world. This solution is unique in that all crossing reconstruction and tunnel construction works are carried out without interrupting train traffic, only reducing their speed. It is the use of this technology that makes it possible to shorten the duration of work from 12 to 9 months and save several million budget funds", says Gediminas Gribulis, director of the Tilsta company.
According to G. Gribulis, the most complicated part of the project has started to be implemented - the already completed reinforced concrete tunnel structures are being pushed under the railway tracks. At the construction site located at the crossing at a depth of 10 m, with the help of special jacks, the first tunnel structure with a pointed front is pushed, under which soil is dug and removed inside the tunnel. The second part of the structure will be connected later. It is planned that by May 7 both construction segments will already be in the position provided in the project.
"The work of pushing tunnel structures requires special attention, precision and preparation. At the same time, it is necessary to coordinate the pushing of the structures, the stability of the track and to ensure smooth and uninterrupted train traffic. "Experience in implementing the most complex infrastructure projects in Lithuania, a modern and flexible approach are necessary in the implementation of such a large-scale idea", G. Gribulis observes.
After the reconstruction, the number of railway tracks will basically remain the same - only one unused branch will be removed, but car traffic will become much more convenient. At a depth of 5 m, two car rings will be installed, framed by supporting wall structures: after entering one of the rings, the cars will go down and pass through the newly built tunnel.
"Until now, the railway line divided the city of Lentvaris into two parts, and due to the intense train traffic, there were constant traffic jams at the crossing. Drivers had to wait even after 40 minutes. After the reconstruction, the city will be connected by a tunnel - communication will become much more convenient for city residents who go to work, schools, kindergartens, shopping or elsewhere every day, as well as for those traveling to Vilnius or Traki", says Remigijus Lipkevičius, director of the Directorate of Roads of Lithuanian Motor Vehicles.
It is estimated that the Lentvaris crossing was closed for 11 hours a day due to train traffic. About 7000 cars passed through it every day, and up to 200 trains passed through the railway line. It is one of the most important railway junctions in Lithuania, also connecting Vilnius with Warsaw, Kaliningrad.
Right next to Lentvaris railway of the station there will be a new parking lot for cars and buses, a road will be built to approach the lot, so communication for those traveling by train will also become more convenient.
A lot of attention is also paid to pedestrian infrastructure and safety: the tunnel will have a pedestrian path completely separated from car traffic.
All reconstruction works of the Lentvaris crossing are planned to be completed in the fall of this year.
The project is implemented by the Lithuanian Motor Road Directorate together with Trakai District Municipality and AB "Lithuanian railways". The value of the works is 20,7 million. EUR with VAT. The project is financed by the Road Maintenance and Development Program and European Union investments.
