Elbasan-Qafë Thane/ Balluku axis: It will be ready in a few weeks

2024-02-19 13:29:00, Politikë CNA

Asphalting begins on lot 1 of the Elbasan-Qafë Thane road axis, part of Corridor VIII. According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, this lot with a length of nearly 5 kilometers will be open for vehicle traffic, thus influencing the ease of movement.

Along with the construction of the road, the river protection has also been completed, as this lot stretches along the Shkumbin river. This road segment has been designed with the technical parameters of Category B, while the road access points for the residents of the area that lie along it have also been built.

The Deputy Prime Minister, at the same time the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, together with the Director of the Albanian Road Authority, Evis Berberi, closely followed the progress of the works.

Director Berberi said that work is currently being done on the first 4 lots of the Elbasan-Qafë Thane axis, where progress is being made at a fast pace.

"We have four segments open today. In the first lot we started the asphalt, while in the other lots we are gradually working with the filling layer, with the works of art, with the excavations and with the creation of piles for the big bridge over the river Shkumbin that connects us with the area of ??Murrashi, where there will be a big diversion with a tunnel to go across the area of ??Murrashi", said Berberi.

It is a job that requires effort, said Minister Balluku, after referring to the contract, the works for Lot 1 must be completed at the end of March this year. Balluku said that in 6 weeks we will have the first lot of the highway of Corridor VIII, Elbasan-Qafë Thane, completed.

"When the summer season comes, this difficult part of the crossing in the Labinot Fushë area will be completely resolved, and we will be ready to continue with all other segments", said the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy.

The Elbasan bypass remains a challenge, where the financing procedures will continue immediately after the project details. The construction of this bypass will make it possible to release the traffic, as it will divert the movement of vehicles avoiding the entrance through the city of Elbasan.

"Our biggest challenge will remain the bypass of Elbasan, as this highway will solve all the traffic, but as long as it creates the funnel and the direct entrance to the city of Elbasan, it will not be a complete solution. So, directly with the completion and detailing of the project, we will be ready to start then and take steps in terms of budgeting and the competition for the Elbasan bypass, bearing in mind something very important that in in the area where the bypass of Elbasan will be built, we have started work on the big project of the Formula 1 track", said Balluku.

The road axis Elbasan-Qafë Thane is part of Corridor VIII. The construction of this axis will facilitate the circulation of vehicles by shortening the travel time, as well as simultaneously increasing road safety parameters./CNA