Neris Bridge contract termination follows LTG Infra’s decision to end its agreement with general contractor Rizzani de Eccher for the Rail Baltica railway bridge across the Neris River. The decision follows a review of construction progress, the contractor’s financial position, and failures to comply with contractual obligations.

Construction site of the Rail Baltica bridge over the Neris River
Construction site of the Rail Baltica bridge over the Neris River in Lithuania. Photo: Ministry of Transport and Communications of Lithuania / LTG Infra

Lithuania’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Juras Taminskas, said resuming construction of the Neris Bridge is a priority.

“Resuming construction of the Neris Bridge is a priority. Rail Baltica is of strategic importance for regional connectivity and security. We must ensure that the European-gauge rail project moves forward without delays and that the main line is completed by the end of 2030. Swift and decisive action is needed,”

Neris Bridge contract termination and project scope

The contract with Rizzani de Eccher⁠ was signed for EUR 64 million, with construction on the Neris Bridge starting in July 2022. The planned bridge will extend for 1.5 km, rise 40 meters above the Neris River and the surrounding valley, and have a width of almost 14 meters. It is designed to carry a double-track railway built to standard European gauge.

The Ministry of Transport and Communications⁠ stated that the Neris Bridge forms only one part of Rail Baltica. Work continues on the 114-km Kaunas–Panevėžys section, where the first European-gauge tracks have already been installed.

LTG Infra seeks new contractor

LTG Infra had been tracking the financial condition of Rizzani de Eccher since 2023. Until recently, the contractor’s internal restructuring had not had a major impact on construction progress. The company has now identified substantial breaches of contract, including delays and unpaid subcontractors.

According to LTG Infra, the contractor submitted a remediation plan, but the company found no sufficient grounds to continue the partnership. It concluded that launching a new procurement process and selecting another contractor would be the best way to complete the remaining works.

Arūnas Rumskas, interim CEO of LTG Group, said the situation created a risk for the bridge schedule.

“There is a real risk that this bridge will not be completed on time. We cannot tolerate serious breaches of contract or failure to meet financial obligations,”

LTG Infra added that it has paid for all completed works. Subcontractors that remain unpaid will have to seek recovery of the outstanding amounts through legal proceedings.

Rail Baltica describes the Neris River bridge as the longest railway bridge in Lithuania and the Baltic States. The structure is part of an electrified European-standard double-track railway project with a total planned length of 870 km across the Baltic States. Its engineering context is also important: the bridge crosses a Natura 2000 area, and the design avoids supports in the River Neris, with the longest distance between supports at the river crossing planned to reach 150 metres.