Vilnius mayor: positive environmental effect is obvious

The Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, has received NIB financing totalling EUR 20 million for important transport infrastructure projects as well as renewing its public transport fleet.

The new 15-year-maturity loan has been granted for financing the city’s investment programme planned for 2009. Most of the loan has been used for the construction of Vilnius southern bypass and the reconstruction of main streets.

The southern bypass, a four-lane road, is part of the international transport corridor IXB, linking Kiev and Minsk, via Vilnius, to the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda on the Baltic Sea. The road will help significantly reduce the flow of transit traffic through the city.

The city has bought 100 new buses and 70 trolleybuses complying with EU environmental regulations.

“The effect of upgrading the road infrastructure and renewing the public transport fleet is obvious: the emissions have decreased several times. The new buses and trolleybuses are also attractive. The feedback from the city’s inhabitants on the improvements is very positive,” explains Vilnius City Mayor Vilius Navickas.

This is the first NIB loan to the Lithuanian capital. The Bank’s involvement in financing a municipal investment programme in Vilnius is aimed at facilitating the further economic development of the city.

“A distinguishing feature of NIB is professionalism and efficiency. The project appraisal was rather quick and well performed. We are pleased with NIB’s contribution to the implementation of the city’s large-scale investment programme,” Mr Navickas says.