Tirana’s Great Ring Road to open for traffic on Monday afternoon

The Great Ring Road of Tirana, one of the city’s most significant infrastructure projects, will officially open to vehicle traffic on Monday afternoon. The completion of this vital road is expected to provide much-needed relief to the capital’s notorious traffic congestion.

Why is this important: With nearly half of Albania’s population concentrated in Tirana, the city suffers from year-round traffic congestion. The opening of the Great Ring Road aims to alleviate traffic, particularly for vehicles entering and exiting the city.

Context: The project’s final segment, Lot 5, is nearing completion, with crews focused on finishing touches such as site cleaning and landscaping. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, recently inspected the work to ensure the road’s readiness for its scheduled opening.

The Great Ring Road spans approximately 29 kilometers and has been a cornerstone of Tirana’s infrastructure modernization. However, the project also became a contentious political issue. The opposition fiercely opposed its construction, primarily due to parts of the road cutting through residential areas with informal or semi-legalized buildings. Protests over compensation for displaced residents lasted over a year, with the opposition demanding market-value pay-outs for affected properties, regardless of their legal status.

A milestone for Tirana: Once operational, the Great Ring Road is expected to significantly improve traffic flows and transits within the capital and provide a more efficient route for vehicles traveling to and from Tirana. The project represents a critical step in addressing the city’s infrastructure challenges and supporting its growing population.