New Kaunas Southern Bypass section and bridge over hydroelectric plant to open, traffic rules to change

Kaunas is set to open a new section of its Southern Bypass and a bridge over the Kaunas Hydroelectric Power Plant on August 24, significantly altering local traffic flow. The new bypass segment will connect to T. Masiulio Street, offering a more convenient route for drivers coming from Vilnius heading towards Marijampolė. It also promises improved connectivity for Kaunas residents to the Palemonas and Petrašiūnai districts.

Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis highlighted the importance of bypasses for modern city transit, enabling through-traffic to avoid the city center. The completion of this section, which includes tunnels near Amaliai, was finished a week ahead of schedule, despite earlier temporary closures for construction.

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Modern city transport is inseparable from convenient and fast bypasses that allow transit traffic to bypass the center.

Significant changes await drivers, particularly on T. Masiulio Street. Those approaching the Pažaislis Monastery via the hydroelectric plant road will have the option to take the new bypass directly or use a viaduct leading to T. Masiulio Street. A key alteration involves a formerly two-way side road leading to the hydroelectric plant, which will now become one-way. Traffic authorities urge drivers to pay close attention to new road signs.

The opening marks the completion of the first stage of the Southern Bypass construction, which involved building new viaducts, roundabouts, pedestrian and bicycle paths, and utility networks. This initial phase included a 1.5-kilometer stretch of Ateities plento and the newly connected sections leading to the Kaunas Hydroelectric Power Plant.

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Drivers are asked to pay attention to road signs.