(FEZ) - Industry Park & Logistic Centre

part of the railway infrastructure repair works was implemented
in the Corridor IX, the speed of freight trains
increased from 80 km/h to 90 km/h; besides, the reliability
and traffic safety of railway transport generally
increased. This can also be reflected by the growing
extent of freight flows transported by railways. For example,
in 2005 the transport sector reached the highest
number of carriages by train, having made 49.3 million
tons freight (as compared to 45.6 million tons in 2004;
when the growth was almost 8.2 per cent). This year has
also seen an obvious growth of cargo transportation by
train. During the 8 months of 2006, cargos at the value
of 33.7 million Litas have been transported, which is by
9.8 % more than compared to the same period in 2005.
Projects to be completed within the Period of the Cohesion
Fund (2004-2006)
The support Lithuania received from the Cohesion Fund
within 2004-2006 amounted to about 1 billion Litas.
They have been allocated to the projects in the transport
sector, which are aimed at renovation and/or further development
of the transport infrastructure in the country,
that is an integral part of the Trans-European Transport
Networks (TEN-T), or ensure an access thereto.
Within the described period, money from the Cohesion
Fund have been used only for financing large-scale projects
(of at least EUR 10 million value) and projects of the
great importance. Up to 80-85 per cent of public costs
(or of equal value) of a project may get support from this
Fund. Therefore financial support from the Cohesion
Fund may be exclusively provided for the measures designed
in advance and approved by the European Commission.
At present 10 projects co-financed by the Cohesion Fund
(5 projects in the road, 4 projects in the railway and 1
project in the urban infrastructure) are in the process of
implementation.
•
Railway Transport
In the implementation of the Program for Improvement
of Lithuanian Railway Structure 2004-2006, the railway
infrastructure within the Transport Corridors I and
IX is undergoing modernization process according to the
EU standards, as foreseen in AGC and AGTC agreements.
The Strategy of the Cohesion Fund for 2004-2006 provides
help to many projects, although only a part of them
gets adequate assistance up to 2006, as the railway transport
projects are too complex and costly.
Among the projects currently having been implemented
under the Cohesion Fund’s assistance, the following are
worth mentioning:
www.businesslithuania.lt
Modernization of Radio Link: the project was approved
by the European Commission in 2005. For more effective
and safe regulation of the project traffic intensification
(from 120 km/h to 160 km/h) and implementation
of traffic safety requirements within the railway transport
corridors, it is planned to install basic high frequency
radio link maintenance and transmission equipment.
Renovation of Kaunas’ Tunnel: the project was approved
in 2004. To ensure traffic safety, reliability and capacities
of the entire railway infrastructure, and to renew the
railway infrastructure, adjusting it to higher train speed,
we designed the renovation of the only railway tunnel in
Lithuania located in Kaunas, at the intersection and on
the line of the transport Corridors I and IX, connecting
the capital city of Vilnius and Kaunas, the second city in
Lithuania. The renovation covers renewal of structures
for the high axial load trains. Parts of the tunnel exposed
to high penetration of water will be protected by special
membrane, tunnel wall; and vault supports of reinforced
concrete will be constructed. The narrow section
in the tunnel will be broadened, and the low part elevated.
The engineering networks and railroad upper structure
in the tunnel will also be renovated.
Modernization of Sorting Stations: the project was approved
in 2004. Modernization of sorting stations in the
Crete Corridor IX covers railway stations in Vaidotai and
Radviliškis. In Vaidotai Railway Station the wagon distribution
process is mainly automated; micro-electronic
systems for stoppers and route control are fully computerized
there, in addition, new acceptance - release roads
are constructed, and other station remodelling and infrastructure
modernization and environment protection
works are carried out. In Radviliškis station the overhauls
of wagon stoppers and compressors have been performed,
shunts replaced, electricity supply and lighting
systems modified, radio link modernized, and environment
protection works carried out.
Extension of the Station Sections: the European Commission
approved the project in 2005. After the implementation
of the project, 17 station railroads will be extended
and these stations will be able to accept trains of
up to 1,000 m length for unloading.
After implementation of these projects, the infrastructure
of Lithuanian railway transport will be in full compliance
with the European Community standards. This
will allow successful integration of the Lithuanian railway
transport system to come to the common railway
system of the European Community and contribute to
strengthening of the EU internal market. Realization of
the projects within the program will help to ensure reliable
and fast (up to 160 km/h) carriage by railways, increase
the load on the axis from 22.5 to 25 tons by extending
main lanes in stations, and new possibilities will
be created for acceptance of 6,000 ton trains and signif-
(continued on page 82)
Invest in Lithuania
81