The road construction sector is currently facing substantial cost escalations, characterized by what one expert termed “shock therapy.” According to Šarūnas Frolenko, head of the relevant association, the costs associated with asphalting works have risen markedly, increasing from 13% to 23% between January and April of this year. The most significant cost drivers relate to the installation of thick asphalt coatings on both main and regional roads. For instance, the expense of laying a single section of the A8 main road saw an increase exceeding 226 thousand euros.
A primary contributor to this inflation is the bitumen market. Data provided to the association by “Lietuvos keliai” indicates that the price of bitumen 50/70 increased by nearly 35% between December 2025 and April 2026. Furthermore, the cost of modified bitumen PMB 25/55-60 rose by more than 40%.
Beyond paving materials, the cost of necessary operational fuels has also seen sharp rises. Diesel prices increased by almost a quarter, while natural gas experienced an even steeper jump of over 44%. These escalating material and energy costs impact every aspect of the road infrastructure.
Given that vehicular movement relies on complex mechanical systems, the rising expense of fuel directly correlates with the overall operational cost of maintaining the road network. These combined increases present a significant challenge to maintaining and upgrading the country’s main thoroughfares.
Topics: #road #increased #main
