Today in Panevėžys, Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis presented the reform of the Road Maintenance and Development Programme (RDPP) to the Mayors of the Region’s municipalities. It will ensure clear, transparent and comprehensible allocation of funds to municipalities and allow increasing funding to municipal roads of local significance. The implementation of the Rail Baltica project, which is significant to the region, was also discussed at the meeting, as well as the infrastructure improvement issues relevant to the municipalities.

“The aim to improve infrastructure faces various challenges, primarily insufficient road funding. As much as 38 % of roads of national significance do not meet the pavement condition index. Therefore, our priority is to stabilise and keep improving the condition of the country’s roads. For this purpose, we are overhauling the Road Maintenance and Development Programme, which will ensure clear, transparent and proper allocation of this programme’s funds to municipalities and will also enable municipalities to receive more RMDP funds and decide on their use independently. The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests the municipalities to prepare a clear and publicly accessible list of projects for at least 3 years,” said Minister Skuodis.

The overhaul of the RMDP fund administration system will provide new opportunities for municipal roads of local significance. It was prepared considering the needs of municipalities and other interested parties. The Mayors of Panevėžys Region municipalities were acquainted with the RMDP overhaul plans that will allow all municipalities to increase funding allocated for local roads. The aim is to increase funding for municipal roads of local importance by approximately 30 %. The new 3-year RMDP funding model will come into effect next year – it will simplify the administration of RMDP and offer greater autonomy for municipalities in the use of this programme’s funds.

“Panevėžys is rapidly transforming – together with the team of the Municipality’s Administration we aim to fully implement the planned changes. Along with the business community and all Panevėžys citizens, we are looking forward to the implementation of the Rail Baltica project, which is of particular significance. This project is a vital part of the whole region’s Industry 4.0 strategy direction, and I am sure that it will have a positive long-term impact on the investment climate, tourism sector, business companies and even the living conditions in Panevėžys and its Region. This railway will allow the city to attract qualified workers that foreign companies and major businesses of the city are awaiting,” said Mayor of Panevėžys City Rytis Račkauskas. 

Via Baltica, which is being modernised, is improving communication with Panevėžys in Lithuania and internationally. Works are planned in the roads comprising this highway: A8 Panevėžys–Aristava–Sitkūnai and A10 Panevėžys–Pasvalys–Riga. The Lithuanian Road Administration has announced public procurement for the preparation of development plans of these roads.

At the meeting with the mayors of Panevėžys Region municipalities – the mayors of Panevėžys city and district, Kupiškis, Biržai, Rokiškis and Pasvalys districts – the important issues of infrastructure improvement were also discussed.

During the working visit, Minister of Transport and Communications M. Skuodis will also visit the public body Aukštaitijos siaurasis geležinkelis, where he will discuss the company’s current situation and its vision of the future, the possibilities of reviving its financial independence and narrow railways.

Pranešimą paskelbė: Žydrūnė Tursaitė, LR Susisiekimo ministerija