Vilnius plans to remove 11 more trees after Goštauto Street cutting
Monday 24th August 2026 on 18:45 in
Lithuania
Vilnius residents have criticised the felling of trees on Goštauto Street, but the city municipality says 11 more may have to be removed, LRT reported.
Photos of the felled trees, including lindens and chestnuts that had stood there for decades, were widely shared on social media over the weekend. Residents questioned why the trees had been removed and whether the renovation could be carried out without cutting them down.
More trees may be removed
The municipality said pedestrian crossings on Goštauto Street would be moved farther from intersections to improve safety. The entrance to a public transport stop would also be extended so that stopped vehicles cause less disruption to traffic.
According to the municipality, eight trees were removed during the current stage of the construction work: two chestnuts and six lindens. Two were in poor condition, one had died and the condition of the other five was assessed as satisfactory. Another 11 trees may have to be removed during later stages because of their condition or the project design.
The final stage of the Neris riverbank renovation will create new recreational areas between the Green Bridge and the White Bridge, including benches, rest areas and new plantings on the riverbank slope.
A two-way red asphalt cycle path will be built along the Neris side of Goštauto Street and connected to existing city cycling routes. Sidewalks and pedestrian links to the riverbank will be renovated, while ramps, stairs, crossings and safety islands will be installed at intersections. Public transport stops, lighting and other street infrastructure will also be upgraded.
The municipality plans to plant about 700 trees and shrubs of various species and sizes across the renovated area, along with around 3,800 square metres of shrubbery.
To protect existing greenery, the cycle path will be built on pillars along a roughly 200-metre section near the Green Bridge. The municipality said this would preserve about 20 trees and their root systems.
The renovation will also cover parts of J. Tumo-Vaižganto, Vasario 16-osios, A. Vienuolio, A. Jakšto, Vilniaus and Žygimantų streets. Some sections will undergo major repairs to create continuous and convenient pedestrian and cycling links.