Overview
The project is financed from the European Union Structural Assistance funds 2007–2013 according to the Economic Growth Action Plan Priority 5 “Development of Trans-European Transport Networks“ instrument VP2-5.1-SM-01-V “Enhancement of the Permeability of Trans-European Road Infrastructure. Improvement of Technical Parameters".
The Jakai roundabout is an entrance gate to Klaipėda, the most northern ice-free port of the Baltic Sea, and the only port in the Republic of Lithuania. It is also the distribution point of the flows of holidaymakers coming to the Lithuanian seaside. It is one of the most important regions in the road infrastructure of Lithuania as it contains one of the largest local and transit traffic flows of goods and passengers. The main part of these flows is distributed on the roads Vilnius–Kaunas–Klaipėda, Klaipėda–Liepaja and Kaunas–Jurbarkas–Klaipėda, which cross at the Jakai junction. The junction is also part of IXB Transport Corridor which is an important connection in the European Union.
The goal of the project is to reconstruct the road sections which do not meet the requirements set for transport corridors as well as to ensure safe and comfortable traffic conditions conforming to the level of traffic volumes, the road significance and international standards.
When the Jakai roundabout reconstruction works are completed, the infrastructure of roads, joining European transport corridors, will be improved and the following benefits will be achieved:
· Improved image of Lithuania as a transit country
· Improved traffic conditions, especially during the summer season
· Reduced negative environmental impact
· Reduced accident rate
· Improved business conditions in the Klaipėda free economic area and in the seaside region
· Reduced vehicle operating costs.
The following works will be completed under this project:
- Construction of a new road – km 1.02
- Reconstruction of the existing road – km 0.34
- Construction of a new skyway (length km 0.61) of four traffic lanes
- Construction of a tunnel viaduct (length km 0.024)
- Installation of traffic lights in a tunnel
- Reconstruction of road engineering networks and installation of lighting on the Jakai junction.