The new line will not only facilitate military cargo transport but also enhance overall connectivity within the region.

Rail Baltica has awarded a significant contract worth 38.31 million euros to DB Engineering & Consulting for the design and supervision of a crucial 96-kilometre railway section connecting the Lithuania–Poland border to Kaunas.

This new connection is expected to greatly enhance freight and passenger mobility in the North Sea–Baltic corridor, promoting a shift from road transport to greener alternatives.

DB Engineering & Consulting will design an electrified double-track railway that integrates with the existing Rail Baltica freight line, including modern signalling and traffic control systems.

Egidijus Lazauskas, CEO of the LTG Group, highlighted the project's high priority and plans for early construction tenders to facilitate preparatory activities.

By the end of 2025, it is anticipated that 43% of the mainline construction will be ready for progress.

Eugenijus Sabutis, Lithuania's Acting Minister of Transport, emphasized the project's significance as a gateway to the West, crucial for high-speed train operations and regional security.

Stefan Geisperger from DB Engineering & Consulting expressed their commitment to enhancing European rail connectivity through this important project.

Lithuania is actively progressing with construction, having announced a 235 million euro investment in embankment contracts and ongoing earthworks, while Latvia faces considerable delays in its section of Rail Baltica.

Marius Narmontas, Lithuania’s Rail Baltica representative, underscored Poland's strategic importance in providing an operational link to the European rail network.

In contrast, Latvian officials have acknowledged that their section of the project may not be completed before 2035, with only 43 km out of the planned 200 km designed and facing significant funding challenges.

The contract awarded to DB Engineering & Consulting marks a significant advancement in the EU’s high-speed Rail Baltica corridor, reinforcing its role as Lithuania's 'gateway to the West.'