Work is about to start on the rehabilitation of the left bank of the Neris

In mid-March, work will start on the sections of the Neris embankment from Brothers Vileišių Square to Šilo Bridge (1 km 950 m) and between the White and Žvėrynas Bridges (1 km 300 m). Cycle and pedestrian paths, stairs, new lighting, terraces, small architectural elements, and recreation islands will be reconstructed. The total area to be managed in both sections is approximately 10 ha. On the left side of the Neris embankment, between the Vileišių Brothers’ Square and the approaches to the Šilo Bridge, the conditions for pedestrians and cyclists will be improved, especially on the approaches to Sluškiai and Vileišių streets, where mobility has been limited until now. The area of the designed cycle paths is 3140 sq. m. and the area of the pedestrian paths is 11553 sq. m. The area of the pavement of the bicycle street (between P.Vileišio and Sluškų streets) is 8925 sq. m. The storm water networks will also be improved, their efficiency will be increased during heavy rainfall, and additional networks will be installed in places where they are currently missing. Water access will be designed in part of A. Goštauto Street, and existing ramps will be repaired, one of which will be adapted to the needs of people with disabilities. The project includes planting. The slopes of the river will be planted with plants suitable for the environment of the Neris riparian zone: alder, white alder, ash, ash, maple, birch, birch, linden and hawthorn. Shrub masses will be formed of willow family plants, strips of flowering flexes, mountain currant are planned along the paths, and the supporting structures will be planted with climbers. A total of 285 trees, 129 accent trees, 28 797 other shrubs and 655 climbers will be planted in this phase of the Neris management. The designers have reassessed the existing planting situation and inventoried the trees. Inevitably, eight invasive elm trees, a white-flowered robinia and two young limes will have to be removed. Five mature trees will not be retained in the renovation of the embankment: four Norway maples and a mountain elm. The estimated replacement value for the trees to be removed is €2418. The original project in 2018 had already foreseen the removal of 63 trees. However, on the initiative of the municipality, the project was carefully evaluated and adjusted – in coordination with the locations of the paths and other project solutions, the possibility was found to replant a Norway maple and a mountain elm, and four chestnut trees will be preserved and replanted on A. Goštautas Street, between the Iron Wolf and Žvėrynas bridges. In total, the project has managed to save 45 trees and about 10 000 sq m of scrubland. The client of the embankment renovation works is Vilnius Municipality, the designer is Vilniaus planas, and the contractor is Žilinskis ir Co. The rehabilitation of the embankment is largely financed by the European Union Structural Funds, with 15% of the project cost coming from the state and Vilnius City Municipality budgets. The work on both sections will start in mid-March.