2013-06-05

Strategically-important railway line between Kaunas and Kybartai finally upgraded

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Fima, the intelligent engineering solutions provider, working with technology partner Czech AŽD Praha, has completed the project to upgrade the infrastructure and traffic control systems on the railway line between Kaunas and Kybartai. The project took more than three years from start to finish. 

The up-to-date computerised rail traffic control system which was installed on the IX D branch of the international transport corridor will improve the safety and freight capacity of the line which connects Russia with its Kaliningrad Region and carries most of the freight that passes through Lithuania. The advanced technology has allowed the line speed to be increased to 160 km/h and for traffic to be centrally-controlled from Vilnius. 

“Its geographic position means that Lithuania is a crossed by two important international rail transport corridors. At present, about 60 per cent of freight moving through Lithuania is carried by rail but there is potential for more which we could make use of. In order to become an important link in the global railway system and to strengthen Lithuania’s competitive advantage in the field of freight transport, we have to upgrade the railway infrastructure so that it meets European standards in terms of technical parameters and safety,” said the Director General of Lithuanian Railways, Stasys Dailydka.

The upgrade of the line between Kaunas and Kybartai is the largest railway engineering project undertaken in Lithuania. Almost 110 kilometres of the line including a 94 km section between Kaunas (Palemonas) and Kybartai and the 15 km detour via Kaunas, Palemonas, Rokai and Jiesia along with eight stations and 33 level-crossings were modernised.

“While upgrading this strategic part of the country’s rail infrastructure we relied upon our long experience and ability to implement state-of-the-art engineering solutions. We hope that the modernised section becomes a perfect example of the possibilities available when you bring rail infrastructure up to date. Faster trains, improved safety, more frequent traffic and increased freight ‒ all these benefits will make a difference for both railway customers and the Lithuanian economy,” said Fima’s General Director, Gintaras Juknevičius.

He also pointed out the complexity of the project: “The completed project is unique in terms of scale as well as complexity and the integrity of the engineering operations implemented. We had to coordinate the work of more than 200 highly-qualified professionals to ensure the project went smoothly. All work had to be done without stopping regular rail traffic on this extremely busy transport link. This was an added challenge.”

Upgrading of the IX D branch required a lot of skill and professionalism  from Fima and AŽD Praha engineers. One of the tasks was to install a microprocessor-based rail traffic control system meeting the highest safety requirements (SIL4) and one which met EU standards. This replaced the electrical and electromechanical systems that had been used for more than 30 years.

The engineers also installed a safety warning system to alert the people working on the track and an automatic points heating system, assembled track signalling and train positioning equipment, replaced power supply lines and installations and installed a remote operation and control system along with new automatic diesel generators and upgraded telecommunications, security and surveillance systems at level-crossings as well as installing other systems.
The railway line between Kaunas and Kybartai is a critical artery for the movement of freight. It is part of the IX corridor of the European Rail Network, which connects the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The IX D branch is the main line connecting the Russian Federation with its Kaliningrad Region and dominates the transport market.

In 2012, Lithuanian Railways transported 49 million tons of freight, including almost 12 million on the line between Kaunas and Kybartai.

Pictures of the project