Rail Baltica in Lithuania has reached a new construction phase as the first of 16 sensor-equipped turnouts, designed for speeds above 249 km/h, is installed on the Šveicarija-Žeimiai section.
Installation has begun of the first high-speed rail turnouts on the most advanced section of Rail Baltica under construction in Lithuania, marking a milestone in the development of the European-standard 1,435 mm gauge railway in the country.
A total of 16 turnouts will be installed along the nearly 9-kilometre Šveicarija-Žeimiai section, with works expected to continue until December this year. Voestalpine Railway Systems is manufacturing the units, while track construction is being delivered by joint venture partners Leonhard Weiss International and Leonhard Weiss OÜ.
Why turnouts matter on a high-speed line
Turnouts enable trains to safely change tracks and access stations, terminals, maintenance facilities and other infrastructure assets, so their reliability and precision are crucial to safe and efficient railway operations.
The units used on Rail Baltica differ from standard railway turnouts. They are designed for speeds higher than 249 km/h and are made from high-quality materials, with precise geometry and greater resistance to operational loads.
The turnouts are also fitted with integrated sensor systems. These will allow real-time monitoring of their technical condition and environmental factors, enable potential faults to be detected at an early stage and support more efficient infrastructure maintenance.
“Every element of Rail Baltica is being developed with the future needs of rail transport in mind. Turnouts are one of the most important components of the system, directly influencing the reliability of train operations for decades to come. Next-generation infrastructure is not only about increasing speed; above all, it ensures the highest safety standards without compromise,” says Mindaugas Ivanavičius, Rail Baltica in Lithuania Director.
Next-generation infrastructure is not only about increasing speed; above all, it ensures the highest safety standards without compromise.”
Heavy lifting for the first installation
According to the contractor, this is the most technically complex stage of the project. The first turnout is being assembled from three structural units, the heaviest of which is an intermediate unit measuring 28 metres in length and weighing 30 tonnes. A mobile crane with a lifting capacity of 500 tonnes is being used to lift and position it.
Both the turnouts and rails will be joined using the thermite welding method, a technique described as one of the most reliable and widely used for creating continuous welded rail on railway, tramway and crane tracks in field conditions.
Next phase of Rail Baltica construction in Lithuania
“Rail Baltica is a gateway to Europe and a strategic investment in our region’s security.” said Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Živilė Poželienė.
Construction of Rail Baltica is currently under way on sections between Kaunas (Palemonas) and Panevėžys District. Following the completion of embankments and engineering structures, works have progressed to the installation of the railway track superstructure, which will be followed by finishing works and the integration of railway subsystems.
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