New Dhërmi-Saranda road, KPP lifts suspension, ARRSH to continue procedures

2025-02-04 07:25:00, Aktualitet CNA

In August of last year, in a long list of construction projects for various axes worth tens of millions of euros, a procedure by the Albanian Road Authority for the design of what was called the "Coastal Road" stood out.

It is about a new road that will connect Dhërmi with Saranda, and which the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Belinda Balluku, described as a continuation of the new Palasë-Dhërmi axis.

But from August to the end of January, the procedure in question ended up being appealed and then suspended until, with a decision of January 30, the Public Procurement Commission decided to lift the suspension. Finally, the Public Procurement Commission authorized the Albanian Road Authority to continue with the other procedures to conclude the contract with the winning operator.

The reason for this delay was the disagreement of one entity with the evaluation made of the procedure by the Bid Evaluation Commission. In the tender with a limit fund of 810 thousand euros, at least 12 bids were submitted and after the Commission's decision, one of the entities disagreed with the evaluation.

Under these conditions, the KPP decided to suspend the proceedings and then asked the ARA to conduct a reassessment. After conducting the latter, it seems that the KPP has decided to give the green light to continue the procedure.

New Coast Road

The new road that is expected to be designed and then built is expected to eliminate the passage through residential areas by opening a new route in the hilly part.

"The road segment will be classified as Category C2 "Secondary interurban road", in accordance and continuity with the already constructed road segment (Palasë - Dhërmi)" the ARA previously explained in the procedure documents.

The starting point of this road segment is the roundabout at the end of the "Palasë - Dhërmi" road axis.

"The end point of this road segment is not precisely determined, but it should be near the city of Saranda.

The end point will be determined in function of the needs of the road network (Kardhiq – Delvinë, Bypass Saranda, Shijan – Qafë Botë) and the Municipality of Saranda and Delvinë. The length of the new road axis is expected to be shortened by 20-30%, as a result of the geometric improvement of the road route," the ARRSH would underline.

Areas where the project passes

Initially, the project (km 0+000) will take place at the end (roundabout) of the Palasë - Dhërmi road segment.

The Coastal Road is the only one that connects many coastal inhabited areas, among which are.

– At km 2+700 is the village of Dhërmi.

– At km 5+600 is the village of Ilias.

– At km 6+200 there is the intersection to the Monastery of Saint Theodore.

– At km 10+000 the village of Vuno ends.

– At km 10+500, the Jala intersection is located.

– At km 11+600 is the beginning of the Vishë Pass and ends at km 13+400.

– At km 13+950 the city of Himara begins.

– At km 15+500 there is the intersection to the village of Livadh.

– At km 16+600, the Himara Bypass begins and ends at km 19+600.