Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj announced the start of construction for a new major bus terminal at Kamza Turn. The North-Western Bus Terminal, located at Tirana’s main entrance, will be five times larger than the Eastern Terminal and is expected to help regulate traffic in the growing city. The project had been delayed for nine years due to property disputes. However, Veliaj confirmed that all legal battles have now been resolved, allowing work to begin.

Why is this relevant: The bus terminal’s construction is crucial for managing traffic congestion in Tirana, a city that has seen rapid growth. Since the early 1990s, the city’s population has expanded from approximately 300,000 to nearly 1 million, and private vehicle use has surged. Until 2015, buses could drive directly into the city center, adding to the congestion. Temporary terminals were introduced to alleviate this, with the Eastern Terminal constructed recently. Now, the long-awaited North-Western Terminal is poised to further reduce traffic and improve transportation infrastructure.

What was said: “We have waited nine years for this day, facing a series of legal battles regarding property ownership. Today, we finally begin work on a project that has been years in the making,” said Veliaj. He explained that this terminal will significantly improve traffic management and emphasized that the public had won, not private interests. “This was one of the most necessary projects for Tirana,” he added.

Context: The construction of bus terminals has been a critical part of Tirana’s strategy to manage its growing traffic. Before 2015, buses stopped wherever they could, leading to chaos and congestion in the city center. The introduction of temporary terminals was a step toward a more organized system, followed by the opening of the Eastern Terminal. The new North-Western Terminal will be located at the city’s most important entrance and will primarily serve lines heading to the northern and southern regions of Albania, as well as international routes. A large park will also be part of the terminal, benefiting residents.

The rapid urbanization of Tirana over the past three decades has made traffic management a top priority for the city. From being a city with no private vehicles in 1991, Tirana has evolved into a bustling hub with a high number of private cars, buses, and trucks on the roads. Strategic investments such as new roads, bike lanes, and the near-completion of the city’s ring road have aimed to reduce congestion and create a more sustainable urban environment.

Future Developments: The Mayoralso revealed plans to relocate the temporary terminal by mid-October to make way for the main terminal’s construction. “By October 15, all buses will be moved to this new location to facilitate the terminal’s development, which will resemble an airport terminal,” he stated. He added that the new terminal would offer multimodal transport options, with connections to train lines and local urban bus routes.