The road and bridge construction company Kauno tiltai, which belongs to the group of Lithuanian transport infrastructure companies, Tiltra Group, plans to accomplish works in Grigiškės by the end of June. During the first stage of the project, the road section Vilnius-Kaunas-Klaipėda across Grigiškės was reconstructed, 2.71 km of the road surface and roadside were reinforced, 2.46 km of pedestrian and bicycle lanes were constructed, 1.014 km of new junction roads were built, an interchange was constructed and the lighting was installed.
Other works also included: reconstruction of the bridge over the River Vokė, a cross-over and two pedestrian underpasses, a new pedestrian overpass, traffic railings and mesh fencing to keep out wild animals, reconstruction of utility infrastructure – gas network, heating system, electric supply lines and communication network, as well as run-off rain water network.
One of the more complex works of this stage is a tunnel overpass at the filling station. Drivers, heading in the Grigiškės direction from the centre of Vilnius, will turn to the right before the filling station, make a loop and take the new road under the highway to reach the southern (residential) part of Grigiškės. This will be possible by the end of June.
According to Technical Manager of Kauno tiltai Vitalijus Popovas, the last month of works will be used for area management, slope planting, equipping of traffic-lights controlled crossroads at Kovo 11-osios street, accomplishing the construction of the third junction road under the tunnel overpass, putting the road signs, and marking the road surface. As of 22 May, drivers will cross Grigiškės directly without having to take a temporary bypass built at the filling station, which was used while building a tunnel overpass.
The works have been performed on a very intensive traffic road. Traffic intensity at Grigiškės is one of the highest in Lithuania. According to the data of 2008, approximately 40,000 vehicles pass along the reconstructed section per day. According to the estimations from the Lithuanian Transport and Road Research Institute, traffic intensity will exceed 55,000 vehicles per day in 15 years.
According to Mr. Popovas, Kauno tiltai exerted all efforts to make road reconstruction works affect traffic flows as little as possible.
The contract valued at LTL 21.98 million (VAT inclusive) was signed with the Lithuanian Road Administration on 30 June 2009. Seven bidders put in their bids for the first stage of the project. The lowest bid was made by Kauno tiltai.