Murriz Tunnel opens March 14, cutting Tirana-Dibër travel to two hours
The long-awaited Murriz Tunnel, part of the Arbri Road project, will officially open for traffic on March 14. The 3.7-kilometer tunnel will significantly shorten the travel distance between Tirana and Dibër, reducing the journey to just two hours.
Why is this important: The construction of the Murriz Tunnel has been a long and challenging process, marked by delays and technical difficulties. The concession contract for the Arbri Road was signed in 2018, while work on the tunnel began a year later, in May 2019. However, difficult geological conditions, landslides, and engineering challenges caused significant slowdowns. What was initially expected to be a straightforward project turned into a seven-year saga for just 3.7 kilometers of tunnel.
Context: The Arbri Road is a 69-kilometer highway that connects Tirana with northeastern Albania, providing a crucial link for local communities and businesses. The road’s construction has spanned multiple administrations, with parts of it originally built under the Democratic Party’s government before being completed under the current administration.
Delays in the Murriz Tunnel were not the only challenge. The entire Arbri Road project faced setbacks due to contractor disputes, complex geological conditions, and the need for extensive engineering structures. Despite these obstacles, most of the highway was opened to traffic on November 29, 2021, though without the tunnel.
The Arbri Road features a total of six tunnels and four bridges, making it one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Albania. The 13-year concession for the road is estimated to cost 40.3 billion lekë.
With the finalization of the Murriz Tunnel, the full potential of the Arbri Road will finally be realized, providing faster, safer, and more efficient travel between Tirana and Dibër and boosting regional economic development.
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