The Lithuanian company Via Lietuva has initiated a market consultation to better understand why a procurement process for repairing an overpass that connects Klaipeda and Kretinga did not proceed as planned. The consultation aims to gather insights from market participants regarding their reasons for not participating in the procurement, which was previously announced in December last year. Interested bidders were expected to submit their proposals by January 22, and the planned repair works were estimated to take up to 11 months once commenced.

The ongoing discussion around the necessity of the repairs has stretched over several years, indicating a longstanding concern for infrastructure maintenance in the region. Following an expert inspection in July 2023, it was established that the hinges of this crucial overpass were in extremely poor condition, necessitating immediate attention. The experts emphasized that ignoring the problem could lead to more severe consequences, urging that the repairs cannot be indefinitely postponed.

While recent floods have not posed the anticipated threat to the structure, the situation still calls for urgent action. Officials and experts are preparing for the worst-case scenario given the bridge's significant role in supporting traffic between Klaipeda and Palanga. The repair project’s delay reflects broader issues in public infrastructure procurement processes, raising questions about project prioritization and resource allocation in Lithuania’s transport sector.