The Lithuanian railway group LTG has announced the start of production of high-speed, 1435 mm European-gauge railway switches for the Rail Baltica project at a facility in the Vilnius district. Manufacturing is being carried out by voestalpine Railway Systems Lithuania, a company in which LTG Group holds a 34% stake. The first systems are scheduled for delivery this autumn to the most advanced construction section – the Šveicarija–Žeimiai stretch in the Jonava district – where approximately 8.8 km of European-gauge track has already been laid.
LTG emphasizes that launching local production marks a significant milestone in the development of Rail Baltica, strengthening both transport integration and regional security. The contract for the supply and installation of the switches was signed with Leonhard Weiss International and Leonhard Weiss OÜ, with a value of approximately €8.1 million (including VAT). According to LTG, the new switches are designed for train speeds of up to 300 km/h and feature high geometric precision, enhanced durability, and advanced sensor systems for real-time infrastructure monitoring.
The company notes that Rail Baltica remains the largest railway infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic states and a strategic priority for both LTG and the European Union. Contracts have already been awarded for the construction of the 114-kilometer section between Kaunas and Panevėžys, while design work continues on the line from the Lithuanian-Polish border to Kaunas and the section extending to the Latvian border. Upon completion, Rail Baltica will connect Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with Central and Western Europe, facilitating faster passenger and freight transport and enhancing the resilience of the region’s transport system.