Kaunas mayor dismisses criticism over environmental damage to Neris River as “storm in a teacup”

The mayor of Kaunas, Visvaldas Matijošaitis, has rejected criticism from environmentalists over alleged significant damage to the Neris River during the construction of a pedestrian bridge, calling the controversy “a storm in a teacup,” LRT.lt reports.

Environmental protection groups claim that the construction work has caused substantial harm to the river’s ecosystem, with the Environmental Protection Department estimating damages at €42,400. Authorities have referred the case to police for a pre-trial investigation over suspected illegal dredging of the riverbed.

Matijošaitis dismissed the allegations, suggesting they may be exaggerated for effect. “Maybe this is just a show or something else. It seems to me this will be a storm in a teacup,” he said. The mayor argued that the city must remain dynamic and questioned whether critics would also demand the removal of a nearby hydroelectric dam to restore the river’s natural flow.

Juozas Kriaučiūnas, head of Autokausta, the company constructing the bridge, also denied wrongdoing, stating that all work had been carried out as planned. “The damage is only calculated, not confirmed—no one has determined it. It’s theoretical,” he said, adding that the company uses modern, environmentally conscious equipment. Kriaučiūnas emphasised the bridge’s future benefits, noting it would become Lithuania’s longest pedestrian and cycling bridge at 302 metres.

The Environmental Protection Department found that construction activities in the Natura 2000-protected area had altered the river’s hydromorphology, including its bed relief and shoreline. Experts from Vilnius University confirmed that the work had “undoubtedly changed” the river’s hydrodynamic structure in the affected section.

Construction on the bridge, set to be completed by July 2027, began last year. Police are continuing their investigation into the allegations.