When assessing the cost of road construction, it is important to look beyond the initial investment and consider the service life of the completed road. A high-quality concrete pavement, unlike asphalt, can last around 50 years. If researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) determine the properties of the highest-quality concrete, Lithuania’s roads, bridges, viaducts, overpasses, airport aprons and defence infrastructure facilities could become among the most cost-efficient and durable in the European Union.
Today, companies operating with top-standard concrete paving technologies are ready to advance the country’s infrastructure. The long-term benefits of concrete pavements—durability and lower maintenance costs—are encouraging more European countries to reconsider the use of concrete on highways, urban roads and both commercial and defence facilities.
In Lithuania, as in many other EU countries, concrete roads were long undervalued. However, it is now evident that concrete pavements align well with modern societal goals—sustainability, resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Due to their durability, concrete roads help reduce vehicle CO₂ emissions. Their naturally lighter colour reflects sunlight more effectively than asphalt, resulting in lower surface temperatures on hot days. In addition, concrete can reflect up to 35% more road lighting, contributing to energy savings, while also withstanding heavy loads, including freight traffic and military equipment.
This trend is becoming increasingly relevant as defence infrastructure development intensifies in Lithuania. A renewed perspective on concrete pavements is therefore encouraging not only business representatives but also the academic community to analyse the potential return of concrete as a competitive material in infrastructure development.
Dr. Ernestas Ivanauskas, Head of the Laboratory Centre at KTU’s Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, emphasises that concrete quality is critical for road applications. Pavements must withstand high dynamic loads, environmental impact, temperature fluctuations and damage caused by chemical exposure. The KTU Research Centre for Building Materials and Structures has developed and accredited a methodology (BŠK-1/2016) for determining alkali corrosion in concrete, used to assess the resistance of various concrete compositions to alkali-induced degradation.
Such research enables significantly more sustainable and long-lasting concrete structures. Recently acquired Swiss equipment for measuring the initial deformations of fresh concrete mixtures allows precise modelling, design and forecasting of future deformations in concrete roads. In discussions with industry representatives, KTU researchers have repeatedly stressed that infrastructure projects should be evaluated not only by initial construction cost but also by long-term benefits and maintenance expenses.
Audrius Šulga, Executive Director of the concrete works company EWCON, notes that paving concrete roads in Lithuania requires not only high-quality materials but also specialised equipment, in which the company is making substantial investments.
“Last year, we installed 18,000 square metres of concrete aircraft aprons at Kaunas Airport. All surfaces were completed using smaller-scale machinery. After finishing the project, we realised that we have competent workers and a strong engineering team, and that modern equipment would enable us to be fully prepared to deliver projects of the highest importance in both the civil and national defence sectors,” says A. Šulga.
In its ambition to become one of the most advanced infrastructure contractors in the Baltic region, EWCON has this year acquired from ERCO Technologies the only high-performance, versatile CD6040 concrete paver currently operating in Lithuania. This modern, automated slipform machine stands out for its technical capabilities and precision: it can pave concrete surfaces up to 6 metres wide, while the automatic control system ensures an exceptionally even finish even in the most demanding conditions.
This represents a responsible step by EWCON towards more efficient and higher-quality infrastructure in Lithuania. Such decisions are particularly significant in the current geopolitical context, where both civil and defence construction projects must be delivered quickly, precisely and reliably.