2023, sensational year of infrastructure developments

2024-01-02 14:00:00, Aktualitet CNA

Works on some of the most important road axes in Albania continued rapidly even in 2023.

Here it is worth mentioning that the works on the Qukës-Qafë Plloçë axis are moving at a high pace and CNA itself has published pictures of the works that were carried out during the summer season on this axis.

The head of ARRSH, Evis Berberi, during his interview for "Monitor" magazine, earlier showed that this project has encountered many financing problems due to incorrect design in 2009, where the geological difficulties were not anticipated.

The head of ARRSH described the details of this axis, noting that the total length is about 43.3 km, divided into 3 lots, 2 of which have been made possible through the financing of the Islamic Development Bank for Lots 1 and 2 (km 2.9– km 33.8), and the Saudi Development Fund for Lot 3 (km 33.8 – km 40.5) and the Albanian Government for Lot 0 (km 0.0 – km 2.9).

Thanks to this axis, very soon Korça and Tirana will have an even shorter connection after the completion of the Tirana-Elbasan tunnel and the beginning of the investment of the Elbasan-Qafë Thane road.

Barber stated that this project eases traffic, affects the development of agriculture in the rural area of ??Mokra and the surrounding villages, as well as shortens the time for transporting goods from the Port of Durres to the border crossing point of Kapshtica.

It reveals that the physical realization divided into sections has reached section 1 (km 2.9 – km 18): 78%, section 2 (km 18 – km 33.8): 76%, section 3 have been realized: 37%.

It also states that works on sections 1 and 2 are expected to be completed by 31 December 2024 and works on section 3 are expected to be completed on 31 July 2025.

"The Qukës - Qafë-Plloë project is part of the VIII Pan-European Corridor. This is a project that has encountered financing problems due to incorrect design in 2009, where all geological problems and difficulties were not anticipated.

The total length is about 43.3 km, divided into 3 lots of which 2 have been made possible through the financing of the Islamic Development Bank for Lots 1 and 2 (km 2.9–km 33.8), and the Saudi Development Fund for Lot 3 (km 33.8 – km 40.5) and the Albanian Government for Lot 0 (km 0.0 – km 2.9).

This project improves the routing parameters and makes it possible to access the traffic that passes between Corridor VIII from the Tirana-Elbasan road axis with the Southeast part, as well as shortening the distances with the city of Korça, the border crossing point of Kapshtica and beyond.

Also, the road eases traffic, affects the development of agriculture in the rural area of ??Mokra and the surrounding villages, as well as shortens the time for transporting goods from the Port of Durrës to the border crossing point of Kapshtica.

With the signing of new contracts, the work has progressed at a fast pace, while special sections under local traffic will be usable even earlier. Now the physical realization divided into sections has reached:

Section 1 (km 2.9 – km 18): 78%

Section 2 (km 18 – km 33.8): 76%

Section 3 has been completed: 37%.

Works on Sections 1 and 2 are estimated to be completed by 31 December 2024.

The works in Section 3 are expected to be completed by July 31, 2025," said the head of ARSH, Evis Berberi.

Works on the Elbasan-Qafë Thane axis

Corridor VIII has been assessed as a priority project by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy and the Albanian Road Authority. Currently, work is being done on the construction of the Elbasan - Qafë-Thane axis, which lies on a completely new track along the Shkumbin river.

The head of ARRSH, Evis Berberi, has stated that this axis will shorten the distances between neighboring border countries, will bring growth in the economy and trade, as well as increase road safety.

Berberi revealed that the entire length of this axis has been finished and the project idea has been approved. The length of the road axis presented in the project is 30.8 km.

"Phase I starts at the exit of the city of Elbasan, in the village of Labinot-Fushë, and the physical realization of the works is at the rate of 42%.

The progress of the works is according to the work schedule. The road route has been fully opened. About 81% of the volumes for filling the road body along the entire segment have been completed.

The construction of the works of art has been completed to the extent of 95%. The river protection works continue, which have reached 72% of physical completion.

Phase II begins near the village of Mirakë and has a length of 3,860 km. The project also foresees secondary roads and the connection of the surrounding areas with the main axis. Even in this lot, the work on the construction site has started", said Berberi.

For phase III and IV, the competition is expected to open within the month of September.

Berberi has also revealed how much this project will cost. He states that phase I, with a length of 5,060 km, has a cost of 3 billion ALL, phase II with a length of 3.84 km, has a cost of 3 billion ALL and the remaining part, which will be divided into two phases, with a total length of 20.46 km and cost 44.7 billion ALL, within the month of September the competition will be opened.

As for the total value of the entire project, it is impossible to determine since there is a change in the project regarding the connection with the customs point for which it is cooperating with North Macedonia.

"The project for the construction of the Elbasan - Qafë-Thane axis is divided into four phases, where small and large works of art are planned to be built, such as: four underpasses, three bypasses, an automobile bridge and a level crossing.

The new project, which meets all the parameters of a road with high standards and safety, starts at the exit of the city of Elbasan, in the village of Labinot-Fushë, while it ends at km 44 near the customs point of Qafë-Thanë.

Phase I, with a length of 5,060 km, has a cost of ALL 3 billion and, as I explained above, is under construction.

Phase II, with a length of 3.84 km, has a cost of ALL 3 billion and work has just started on the site.

For the remaining part, which will be divided into two phases, with a total length of 20.46 km and a cost of ALL 44.7 billion, the competition will be opened in September.

As for the total value of the entire project, today it is impossible to say since there is a change in the project in terms of the connection with the customs point and for which we are cooperating closely with the North Macedonian side", said Berberi .

Arbri Street, Hawthorn Tunnel

It has finally become possible to join the two sides of the main Murrizi tunnel on Arbri Street.

The authorities announced that the delays in this tunnel were due to the geology of the land. But now the tunnel has been fully opened, this is good news not only for the residents of the area, but for all Albanians.

The Murriz tunnel has a length of approximately 3.8 km, it is expected to have a tremendous impact on vehicle traffic.

This tunnel has two movement lanes with 3.75 meters, as well as sidewalks with a width of 1.5 meters.

The works on Rruga e Arbri started in the spring of 2018 and it is expected to be fully opened for vehicle traffic at the end of 2024./ CNA