The residents of the country can see that. A study commissioned by the association “Lietuvos keliai” showed that only 40 percent the state of the country’s residents assesses the condition of the roads only favorably, and even 15 percent – negatively. According to residents, the condition of the roads is deteriorating due to insufficient state funding, which has remained at a similar level for several years. And according to experts, compared to the increased wages, work prices, inflation and other factors, road funding is currently even lower than 15 years ago.
It seems that the state, at least for now, is not ready to increase funds for infrastructure improvement, although we must take measures so that the quality of the country’s road network does not lag behind the European Union average. We must understand that a quality road network is essential not only for the convenience of our residents, but also for our investment attractiveness as a country. The transit flows that pass through our country are also important when it comes to the sustainable economy of the EU, so it is not surprising that the old Western countries have been investing in their roads for many years, creating comfortable and modern infrastructure.
However, good roads must not only be within different countries, they must also connect throughout the EU, be integral and of high quality, but it is not very possible to achieve this without a common vision and consensus of the Old Continent. The European Union must start thinking about the possibility of financing the reconstruction of roads in member countries. We already have a similar example, when in order to improve military mobility connections with Europe, dual purpose civil and military infrastructure projects are financed, such as Via Baltica.
Therefore, the European Union could go even further and, in pursuit of a more sustainable economy and more efficient transit flows, start financing the reconstruction of other roads as well. The European Union could go in two directions that would help to do this. The first is to finance road reconstruction from the Cohesion Fund by increasing its funds. The second is to create a separate fund for the new financial period, similar in principle to Cohesion, from which member countries could receive funding depending on the condition of their roads.
The Scandinavians are already investing in the lighting, heating and other innovations of the main roads, but Lithuania, whose road condition is only getting worse, can dream about similar things. Not only can we not think about this level of infrastructure for the next 20 years without EU aid, we will not even maintain the current condition of the roads, because they will constantly deteriorate and become less and less convenient for our residents and attractive to investors.
Political advertising was paid for from the PK account of the Lithuanian and Peasant Greens Union. for no. 24-036-VK_3
Tags: Lithuanian roads support European Union
