Elbasan-Qafë Thanë highway construction making progress despite challenges
Construction on the new highway linking Elbasan to Qafë Thanë, the border crossing with North Macedonia and part of Corridor VIII, has been ongoing since December 2022. The project includes two tunnels in the Elbasan-Librazhd segment, one of which spans 1.1 kilometers, where unforeseen geological difficulties have slowed excavation.
Why is this important: A similar geological challenge delayed the completion of the Murrizi Tunnel on the Arbër Highway to seven years. However, during an inspection visit with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure Belinda Balluku stated that lessons learned from the Murrizi Tunnel have enabled engineers to apply advanced stabilization techniques. This includes reinforcing the tunnel structure by injecting concrete and steel to prevent soil displacement. Officials project that tunnel excavation will be completed by the end of 2025, with the entire Elbasan-Qafë Thanë highway operational by spring 2026.
Context: The full Elbasan-Qafë Thanë highway will span 50 kilometers and feature multiple bridges. The route will connect Durrës, Elbasan, Librazhd, and Qafë Thanë, continuing into North Macedonia and Bulgaria. It is designed as a Category B road with four lanes (3.75 meters each), a 1.8-meter median with greenery, and side lanes along the riverbank.
The highway is expected to boost tourism by significantly reducing travel time between Elbasan and Korçë while strengthening regional trade and connectivity along Corridor VIII, a major Pan-European transport corridor.
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