Kaunas is not only focusing on streets, sidewalks, and bike paths but is also consistently upgrading its staircases. Worn-out steps are being replaced with new ones, handrails, lighting, and surrounding areas are being renovated. Pedestrian arteries connecting different streets, districts, and public spaces are becoming safer and more convenient for residents.
In recent years, staircase renovation projects have been carried out not only in the central part of the city but throughout Kaunas. Priority is given to objects in the worst condition, while also aiming for renovated connections to be as functional and convenient for pedestrians as possible. Over the past five years, Kaunas has allocated 5 million euros for staircase renovation.
„Everyone should be able to move around the city comfortably. Therefore, when renovating staircases, we aim for them to be not only tidy but also convenient, safe, and adapted to today’s needs. It is important for us that attention is paid not only to the city center – convenient connections are needed in all parts of Kaunas. A well-maintained environment, benches, and lighting provide an opportunity to reach your destination comfortably, and to stop for a moment, rest, and admire our city,“ says Kaunas City Mayor Visvaldas Matijošaitis.
Changes in different parts of the city
Since 2024, a number of staircases have been renovated in Kaunas. Work has been completed on Marvelė, M. K. Čiurlionis, Kaišiadorys, Studentų, Linkuvos, Demokratų, Kybartų, Mackevičius, Klinikų, Strazdas streets, as well as on Pakrantė trail, near Kaunas Lagoon, and at the connections of Sanatorija and Mituva–Savanorių streets.
Three staircase connections on both sides of Varnių Bridge have been renovated, and the Amerikos lietuvių stairs have been repaired. Other important pedestrian connections in various parts of Kaunas have also seen changes.
The renovation of more complex objects is also continuing in the city. One such project is the Vytautas Park stairs at the intersection of Laisvės alėja and Trakų Street. Due to the steep slope, additional slope stabilization solutions were required here, and a significant portion of the work is being done manually.
More than just new steps
Staircase renovation is not limited to just step repair. The surrounding environment, lighting, benches, and resting areas, bicycle ramps, and new handrails are also being improved.
Where conditions permit, solutions are sought to reduce the steepness of the stairs and improve their usability. This transforms the stairs into not just the shortest route between two streets, but also a fully integrated part of the city’s public infrastructure.
Attention is also paid to the durability of the structures. When renovating stairs, older solutions, where steps are mounted on reinforced concrete supporting structures, are increasingly being abandoned. Instead, stairs supported on a ground base are installed, helping to reduce the risk of steps detaching or becoming loose over time.
Galvanized metal handrails made of modular elements are also being installed. Such structures are durable, and if necessary, individual parts are easier to repair or replace. This also simplifies the ongoing maintenance of the stairs.
Designed for enjoying the city
Kaunas’s terrain has historically meant that stairs play a special role in the city. They not only shorten the distance between streets at different elevations but also open up city panoramas, lead through green spaces, and allow for the discovery of less familiar parts of Kaunas.
When renovating city stairs, attention is also paid to their surroundings – comfortable areas for short breaks are created, and places to sit and admire the city views are installed. This makes daily pedestrian routes not only more convenient but also more pleasant for passers-by.
Kaunas has been actively renovating stairs for about a decade. Among the most notable previously completed projects are the historic Kauko stairs, finished in 2019, and the Aušros stairs, located next to the Žaliakalnis funicular, which were later renovated.
Work continues with the aim of improving the condition of pedestrian infrastructure and ensuring safe and convenient transport between different city streets and districts.
Information from the Public Relations Department
