Lithuanian rail company AB Lietuvos gelezinkeliai (LitRail) has secured a €68m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the modernisation of rail infrastructure and rolling stock in the country.

Since 1996, EIB has been supporting LitRail in modernising its locomotives and other rolling stock, as well as upgrading its infrastructure.

The current loan will be used to improve several railway infrastructures, renew schemes throughout the country and enhance rolling stock for passenger services.

"Sustainable forms of transport have long been an EIB priority and will continue to be so also in the coming years."

Lithuanian Railways deputy director general Albertas Šimenas said: "Modernisation of railway infrastructure is one of our top priorities.

"Our long-lasting cooperation with European Investment Bank contributes to the implementation of a variety of projects that are significant not only for Lithuania, but for the whole of Europe too."

Work under the project will include duplication of track, renewal and electrification on several sections of the Kena-Vilnius-Kaišiadorys-Radviliškis-Klaipeda line.

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The project will also include the renewal and extension of the Klaipeda railway node, as well as some complementary traffic safety and noise abatement measures.

Following completion, it will remove bottlenecks and increase line capacity, so that 1,050m-long 6,000t freight trains can use these tracks.

EIB vice-president Jan Vapaavuori said: "Lietuvos Geležinkeliai is an essential chain link in the Lithuanian economy and the EIB is glad it can contribute to this important modernisation programme, which will benefit all those Lithuanians who use the railways on a daily basis. Sustainable forms of transport have long been an EIB priority and will continue to be so also in the coming years."

The loan will also see acquisition of seven three-car diesel multiple units for passenger railway services.

The new units will replace existing out-of-date rolling stock, which will improve the efficiency, environmental performance, availability and reliability of the fleet.