An independent investigation into the embankment problems on the Rail Baltica railway section has confirmed that the slope washouts were caused by inadequate design solutions.

UAB Fegda initiated an independent investigation in order to determine the condition of the embankment and structural layer slopes on the Rail Baltica Kaunas–Ramygala 1435 mm gauge railway section Žeimiai–Šėta, identify the causes of the washouts that appeared on the slopes, and assess their connection with the design solutions and the construction works carried out.

The conclusions of the independent investigation, conducted between 5 August 2026 and 25 September 2026, are unequivocal: the problem lies in inadequate design solutions.

Key findings of the investigation:

• The designed embankment slope, without reinforcement solutions for the structural layers on the slopes, does not comply with STR 2.01.01(1):2005 “Essential Requirement for Construction Works: Mechanical Resistance and Stability”.
• The designed embankment slope, without reinforcement solutions for the structural layers on the slopes, does not comply with the Guidelines for the Design of Railway Earthworks.
• The designed embankment slope does not comply with the requirements of Rail Baltica design guidelines RBDG-MAN-015-0107 “Design Guidelines. Railway Substructure, Part 1 Embankments and Earthworks”, clauses 5.3.2, 5.17, 5.18.2, 5.18.3 and 6.3, regarding slope protection against erosion.
• The scope of works assigned to the contractor under the contract was not adapted to the intermediate construction stage – temporary slope protection and water drainage measures were not provided for. As a result, the unprotected structural layers of the slopes were directly exposed to precipitation.
• The washouts of the structural layer slopes are not a result of the quality of the contractor’s work, but a consequence of the design solution. UAB Fegda constructed the embankment slopes precisely according to the design geometry, but the washouts formed in the section where the design did not provide for any protection.
• The cause of the washouts is surface water erosion on the unprotected upper part of the slope. These washouts are systemic in nature and will recur after every heavier rainfall until the slopes are properly protected.

“The problem of embankment slope washouts exists across the entire Rail Baltica section, because the slopes are being constructed according to one and the same solution in all projects. This is a systemic problem, and unless it is resolved, the constructed slopes will continue to be washed out. If this issue is not addressed fundamentally, the stability of the embankment will not be ensured and traffic safety will be put at risk,” commented expert Darius Kalibatas, Doctor of Civil Engineering.

Jonas Jablonskis, CEO of UAB Fegda, says that the company contacted the client more than once regarding the embankment problems, but its request to address the situation was not heard.

“We informed the client about the slope washout problem more than once – and we were not the only ones to do so – even before the works began, but the client ignored the issue. Moreover, during a meeting of the Railway Service Companies Association held in April 2026, all contractors involved in the Rail Baltica project raised this question. During that meeting, the client confirmed that this is not the contractor’s responsibility and is not a matter of the contractor’s works or warranty obligations. However, despite acknowledging this, unfortunately, no decisions have been made to this day, which creates the conditions for further problems. In order to avoid this, we were forced to initiate an independent investigation, although this is the client’s responsibility,” said Jonas Jablonskis, CEO of UAB Fegda.

“Another acute problem is that, under the current solution, the embankment requires constant maintenance. This requires significant funds and a dedicated team, neither of which the client has provided for in this project. Without maintenance, the embankment simply continues to be washed out,” J. Jablonskis added.

J. Jablonskis emphasises that Rail Baltica is a highly complex project of enormous scale, and its smooth implementation requires the active involvement and efficient work of all parties – the client, designers and contractors.

“Only by working together, making processes more transparent and responding quickly to emerging challenges can we achieve the result,” said J. Jablonskis.

Šarūnas Frolenko, Head of the association Lietuvos keliai, which unites infrastructure construction companies in Lithuania, also spoke about the need to urgently address the problems of the Rail Baltica project.

“A couple of days ago, it was announced that the implementation deadline for the Rail Baltica project has been postponed until 2034. This indicates major and difficult-to-resolve problems in the project. We see that the project is being delayed due to systemic issues: slow decision-making, avoidance of responsibility, and deficiencies in technical designs. Contractors often find that the solutions do not correspond to the actual situation or the geological conditions of our country, but they cannot resolve these issues themselves, while the client tends to ignore the problems. Until we have an effective mechanism that allows the client, the project author and the contractor to quickly sit down at one table and find a solution, the project implementation will continue to stall,” said Š. Frolenko.