Lithuania has begun spatial planning work for a new railway access line that will connect the Jašiūnai–Stasylai section, in the south-east of the country, with the Rūdninkai military training ground in the Šalčininkai district, in south-eastern Lithuania.
The project forms part of preparations for the construction of a railway link dedicated to military transport, with a focus on its use within the framework of military mobility and the strengthening of defence capabilities.
The Ministry of Transport has stated that this rail link is considered a critical component of the country’s defence chain, being necessary both for the efficient operation of the training ground and for receiving the German brigade deployed in Lithuania. The authorities say the aim is for the project to be designed and built as quickly as possible, so that the infrastructure meets the army’s operational requirements.
The preliminary area of the military infrastructure project is 55.9 hectares, demarcated on the basis of technical solutions developed by LTG Infra for the future access railway line. The area comprises four state-owned plots, nine privately-owned plots and unparcelled state land, and the plan provides for the creation of a new plot of approximately 8.2 hectares. For the project to be implemented, around 6.2 hectares of private land would be expropriated in the public interest.
Rail infrastructure for military mobility
The new railway line, with a gauge of 1,520 mm, will be used to transport heavy military equipment, containers and other equipment, as well as to transport military personnel. The project also includes the construction of loading lines and a special ramp to ensure efficient loading and unloading of equipment and goods.
The Ministry has already asked the Šalčininkai District Administration, the National Land Management Service and the company Via Lietuva to assess the planned area. At the same time, private landowners have been informed of the authorities’ intentions and the preliminary boundaries of the site.
The government approved the construction of this branch line as early as 2025, and the Rūdninkai training ground and associated infrastructure have been designated as projects of particular importance for national defence. In this context, the new railway line is not treated as a standard transport project, but as a strategic piece of infrastructure, integrated into the framework of European military mobility.
It should be noted that Lithuania is implementing projects relating to military mobility, focusing on the railway, which can transport large volumes in a sustainable manner.
Share on: 
