Five Long-Awaited Roads to Be Included in ‘€1billion Project’

TIRANA, February 2

The plan of the Albanian government for investing about Euro 1 billion in major infrastructural projects through public-private partnerships seems to include even five major road projects.
Monitor says that according to its sources, they are Arberi Road, Kardhiq-Delvine, Durres-Plepa, Thumane-Vore-Rrogozhine, and Tirana Big Ring Road.
Four out of the five projects started more than six years ago, but works stopped because the previous governments couldn’t afford to pay for the construction with budget funds. On the other hand, the public debt over, which exceeds 70 percent of GDP by year-end limits the government’s options for building the roads with foreign loans and leases.
During the last year, Gjoka Construction was offered to complete the remained part of Arberi Road for $190 million. A commission created by the Ministry of Transports is scrutinizing the offer, which is expected to be the winner for this project.
Currently, the company is construction two sections of this road. During 2013-2015 Lek six billion have been invested in this project, while about Euro 200 million are needed for the main section of the road. The project started in 2018 and it is 72km long while the existing road is 130 km.
The second major project is Kardhiq-Delvine road, which stopped two years ago. According to the same sources, offers were made and the project will cost no more than $150 million. This road will shorten the travel time between Tirana and Saranda as it will avoid Muzina mountain pass. The road is 28 km long and the most difficult section is a one km long tunnel.
Meanwhile, the other three projects are partially constructed and need to be completed.

News Source: Monitor