LTG Group company LTG Infra, responsible for implementing the European standard gauge railway project Rail Baltica in Lithuania, has established a dedicated Rail Baltica design unit. This initiative responds to the current market shortage of design capacity and aims to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of one of the Baltic States’ most important infrastructure projects, as well as the continued development of the European standard gauge network.

“Our aim with LTG Group is to ensure that the construction of Rail Baltica, the European-gauge railway in Lithuania, advances swiftly and efficiently—a strategic priority for our country and the entire Baltic region. We expect that the newly established design unit within LTG Infra, drawing on best practices from across Europe, will enable us to successfully achieve these ambitious objectives,” said Julijus Glebovas, Acting Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications.

The LTG Infra design team will operate according to a proven model successfully applied in various European countries: part of the design work will continue to be outsourced through open market tenders, while another part will be handled internally. This approach guarantees rapid and continuous infrastructure development.

“The expansion of European infrastructure in Lithuania is picking up pace. To secure and foster this progress, we must accumulate the necessary expertise. LTG Infra is taking the initiative to establish a competence center for high-speed railway design, which will complement and strengthen market capabilities. Over time, this unit—developing expertise in high-speed rail and modern infrastructure design—will offer its know-how beyond Lithuania’s borders,” stated Vytis Žalimas, CEO of LTG Infra.

Long-Term Competencies in Focus

The head of the new design unit, Mykolas Dumbrava, emphasizes that the unit is established as a long-term center of expertise, not a temporary solution.

“Until now, there has been a lack of experience in designing high-speed railway infrastructure in the Baltic region. One of our key objectives is to attract specialists from abroad, gather knowledge, develop capabilities, and apply them in future projects.

We are designing not only for Rail Baltica, but also for the infrastructure Lithuania will leave to future generations. We are creating a unit where every engineer, designer, and technical specialist can grow professionally, tackle complex challenges, and find true professional purpose. Today, we need people motivated not only by data-driven design but also by the opportunity to create a significant, lasting positive social impact,” said Dumbrava.

Once Rail Baltica is completed, the European gauge network will be extended towards Klaipėda and throughout Lithuania, ensuring continued demand for design activities beyond 2030.

Building an International Team

The new unit will bring together professionals from various fields—including railway, bridge and infrastructure engineering, environmental sciences, systems design, and digital process management.

An international team is being assembled, welcoming specialists from Lithuania and cooperating countries with experience in developing 1435 mm European standard gauge railway networks.

The team’s goal is to ensure the swift implementation of Rail Baltica, while also designing other railway lines and infrastructure assets needed by Lithuania.

LTG Group provides paid internships and actively collaborates with universities. Currently, the design team includes four engineers with bachelor’s and master’s degrees from various countries.

Additionally, Rail Baltica in Lithuania has launched an educational initiative called Engineering Class for school students to raise the prestige of engineering careers and encourage more young people to pursue STEM disciplines.

Rail Baltica is a strategic project for both the LTG Group and the European Union and is the largest railway infrastructure project in the history of the Baltic States. Once completed, it will deliver an electrified European standard gauge railway line connecting Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia with Central and Western Europe, strengthening regional integration, civil and military mobility, and the overall resilience of the transport system.