Expansion of Tirana-Durrës highway: key to boosting Albania’s economic core

Construction work has commenced on the Tirana-Durrës highway to expand the roadway by adding an additional lane on each side, one of which will serve as an emergency lane, ultimately creating four lanes in each direction upon completion.

Why is this important: The Tirana-Durrës axis is not only the busiest in Albania but also a vital economic corridor, hosting over half of the country’s population and its economic activities. The expansion of this highway is pivotal as it directly supports the economic heart of Albania, facilitating smoother and potentially more efficient transportation of goods and people. Furthermore, with the gradual expansion of the pan-European Corridor VIII this axis assumes a more strategic importance that transcends the border of Albania. Besides the highway, work has began of the modern rail link between the two cities.

Context: Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the continuation of work on Lot 1 of the Tirana-Durrës highway expansion via a social media post. The Albanian Road Authority disclosed that following the relocation of greenery, excavation work and subsequent filling with material have begun. Concurrently, efforts to arrange the side canal and stabilize the road body in the “Qafa e Kasharit” area are ongoing.

The expansion work started with the first two lots, the Kamza-Vorë and Vorë-Sukth turns, where winners for the project bids have already been declared. The project is expected to be completed within the next two years. During this period, the highway will not be closed, but speed limits will be enforced to ensure the safety of both the construction efforts and travelers.

Currently, the permitted speed limit in this segment is up to 90 kilometers per hour, which is planned to increase to 130 kilometers per hour after the expansion is completed. Part of the project also involved relocating existing vegetation from the highway to the Artificial Lake Park, enhancing not only the infrastructure but also preserving urban greenery.