Transport news — 2026-07-28

Maintenance works begin on 2.2 km section of Lithuania's A2 Vilnius–Panevėžys motorway

Routine repair contract works started this week on the right-hand carriageway of motorway A2 between km 72.96 and 75.19 — a stretch of just over 2.2 km on one of Lithuania’s principal inter-city arteries. A2 connects Vilnius northward to Panevėžys and forms part of the Via Baltica-adjacent corridor. Drivers using the A2 toward Panevėžys should observe temporary traffic management arrangements during the repair period.

Based on: Susisiekimo ministerija (Lithuanian Ministry of Transport)

Lithuania launches nearly €20 million road works in Lazdijai to reinforce Suwalki Corridor links

State road company Via Lietuva is starting two renewal projects on regional roads in Lazdijai district — near Lithuania’s southwestern border with Poland — totalling close to 20 million euros. Both sections carry traffic across the Suwalki Corridor, the overland connection between Lithuania and Poland that has attracted heightened strategic attention as NATO reinforces the Eastern flank. The works will improve cross-border connectivity with Poland and raise road safety standards on the affected sections.

Based on: Susisiekimo ministerija (Lithuanian Ministry of Transport)

Klaipėda’s rebuilt Smiltynė ferry terminal opens, upgrading the sole mainland link to Curonian Spit

The renovated passenger terminal of the Naujoji Perkėla (New Ferry) crossing in Klaipėda has opened after reconstruction, completing one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades at the Smiltynė ferry in recent years. More than two hectares of surrounding land were reorganised and new passenger waiting facilities installed. Transport Minister Juras Taminskas attended the opening on 23–25 July. The Smiltynė crossing provides the only practical land-based link from the Lithuanian mainland to Neringa municipality, a national park on the Curonian Spit UNESCO World Heritage Site that receives several million visitors each summer.

Based on: Susisiekimo ministerija (Lithuanian Ministry of Transport)

Estonia’s new Sindi–Lodja bridge opens to traffic; 1955 structure to be kept and fully rehabilitated

All vehicle traffic on the Pärnu river crossing was redirected to the new three-span integral bridge on 28 July, with the adjacent roundabout entering full service simultaneously. The 1955-era bridge will not be demolished: the project scope was expanded to a full structural rehabilitation, raising total cost to roughly 12 million euros excluding VAT. That figure covers the new bridge, comprehensive repair of the historic span, cycling connections, a pedestrian underpass, and a safe roundabout. The project is Estonia’s first public-sector alliance contract, in which client (Transpordiamet), designer (Stricto Project OÜ / Roadplan OÜ), and builder (INF Infra OÜ) developed all solutions jointly. Full completion is set for spring 2027.

Based on: Transpordiamet (Estonian Transport Administration)

Estonia signs contract for 8 km 2+2 dual carriageway on Tallinn–Tartu highway at Käsukonna–Imavere

Transpordiamet and road contractor KMG OÜ have signed a contract to build an 8-kilometre 2+2 dual carriageway section on the Tallinn–Tartu–Võru–Luhamaa state highway between Käsukonna and Imavere (km 99.1–107.1). The scope includes two bridges over the Navesti river, an ecoduct for wildlife crossing, three viaducts, small fauna tunnels, noise barriers, and collector roads. A new Paia interchange will link the motorway to Imavere with a bus stop, waiting area, and cycling path. Transpordiamet’s road maintenance director noted that the agency currently has 53 km of 2+2 projects in development totalling 277 million euros. For KMG OÜ, Käsukonna–Imavere is their second 2+2 contract.

Based on: Transpordiamet (Estonian Transport Administration)

Latvia orders 9 battery electric trains from Škoda; ATD studies Vivi experience for final specifica...

Latvia's Public Transport Administration (ATD) has met with Vivi, a rail operator with direct experience of receiving and operating new electric multiple units...

Based on: ATD (Latvian Public Transport Administration, Autotransporta direkcija)

Latvia modernises international road freight permit checks with electronic ECMT system

Latvia's government has approved changes to road transport inspection procedures to align with the transition to electronic international cargo permits. Under...

Based on: ATD (Latvian Public Transport Administration, Autotransporta direkcija)

Latvia road safety authority urges Summer Sound festival-goers to drive safely

Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) has issued a road safety advisory directed at attendees of the Summer Sound music festival — one of Latvia's la...

Based on: CSDD (Latvia Road Traffic Safety Directorate, Ceļu Satiksmes Drošības Direkcija)

Latvia's CSDD plans remote driver's licence processing service via e-CSDD portal

Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) has announced plans to introduce a remote driver's licence application and collection service through its e-CSD...

Based on: CSDD (Latvia Road Traffic Safety Directorate, Ceļu Satiksmes Drošības Direkcija)

European Commission proposes emissions trading reforms affecting maritime and aviation sectors

The European Commission has signalled plans to reform the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) in ways that would directly affect maritime shipping and civil avia...

Based on: LVM (Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications)

IMO Council underlines need to protect key commercial shipping lanes and seafarers

The Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) held its latest session with protection of major commercial shipping routes and the safety of seaf...

Based on: LVM (Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications)

Italy's new Ponte al Pino road-over-railway bridge successfully launched overnight

The new Ponte al Pino road-over-railway bridge was successfully placed in position overnight on 27 July 2026, with Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Min...

Based on: MIT (Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport)

Italy records fewest road deaths in history: 2,868 fatalities in 2025, first time below 3,000

Italy recorded fewer than 3,000 road fatalities for the first time in 2025, with official ACI-ISTAT data showing 2,868 deaths — a reduction of 162 compared wit...

Based on: MIT (Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport)

Italy steps up Takata airbag recall campaign targeting over one million vehicles

Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has adopted reinforced measures to accelerate the safety recall of more than one million vehicles still fitted...

Based on: MIT (Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport)

Spain mobilises €4.3 billion for sustainable mobility under Social Climate Plan 2026–2032

Spain's Secretary of State for Transport, José Antonio Santano, convened the national Sectoral Conference of Transports on 28 July 2026 with all seventeen auto...

Based on: Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible (Spain)

Spain tenders €13.5 million contract for vegetation control on high-speed rail lines

Spain's Council of Ministers has authorised the Ministry of Transport to procure — through Adif, the national rail infrastructure manager — a vegetation contro...

Based on: Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible (Spain)

Spain awards €181 million contract for GSM-R telecoms and energy systems on high-speed network

Spain's Council of Ministers has approved a 48-month contract, tendered through Adif, for maintenance, operation, and renewal of the telecommunications and ene...

Based on: Ministerio de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible (Spain)

Turkey advances Istanbul Northern Railway Transit corridor project

Turkey's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has announced a significant step forward in the Istanbul Northern Railway Transit project — a planned rail co...

Based on: UAB (Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanlığı)

Turkey deploys domestically produced electric trains on new Edirne route

Turkey's domestically produced electric train fleet will serve a new route to Edirne, according to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. The extension...

Based on: UAB (Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Ulaştırma ve Altyapı Bakanlığı)

New bridge on national road DK40 opened in Głuchołazy, southern Poland

Poland's General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways (GDDKiA) has opened a new bridge in Głuchołazy, Opolskie voivodeship, carrying national road 40 (...

Poland distributes 475 million zlotys from state subsidy reserve to local governments for 2026

Poland's Joint Commission of Government and Local Government has agreed on the allocation of 475 million zlotys from the state infrastructure subsidy reserve f...

Poland's #NaszaKolej conference marks record railway investment and passenger growth

At a 22 July conference in Warsaw titled 'Most Modern in Europe — #NaszaKolej' ('Our Railway'), Polish government ministers presented results of the national r...

PKP PLK signs contract for 64-km modernisation of railway line 12 near Warsaw

PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe SA has signed a contract for the modernisation of railway line 12 — known locally as the 'eSeLka' — on its 64-kilometre section betw...

Poland hosts European workshops on enforcement of driver rest and driving time rules

Poland is hosting a three-day European initiative combining expert workshops with live roadside enforcement checks focused on social rules for professional dri...

Ambition France Transports: government receives report proposing new mobility financing model

A decisive step was taken on 9 July 2025 when the official report of the national 'Ambition France Transports' conference was formally delivered to the French...

France adopts third National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC 3) on 15 July 2026

The French government formally adopted its third National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC 3) on 15 July 2026. The document sets France's roadmap for cutting greenhou...

European Mobility Week 16–22 September 2026: call for projects now open

The European Mobility Week, running from 16 to 22 September 2026, is inviting public bodies, companies, associations, and local authorities to register events...