Railway Rejuvenation Links Tirana and Durres in Albania

Tirana, Albania - The long-awaited revival of the railway line between the cities of Tirana and Durres is finally underway. Marking an important milestone for Albania's transportation infrastructure, the project seeks to rejuvenate the 34.7 km railway line, easing the commute and transport of goods between these two major cities.

The project, initially set for completion in September 2023, had faced delays with only 45% of the construction completed by June 2023. The completion date is now rescheduled for March 2024. Despite these setbacks, Albanian officials are optimistic about the potential benefits of this railway project.

"Connecting Tirana with Durres, this railway is crucial. It not only links Tirana with the city of Durres, where the most important waterfront of the Balkans and the Yacht Port are to be constructed but also with the new port of Durres, built in Porto Romano, through the Sukth junction," says Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.

The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the travel time between Tirana and Durres to a mere 22 minutes. The journey from the Nene Tereza airport to Tirana will be shortened to only 12 minutes.

Funded by a 36.65 million euro grant from the European Union and a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the railway's revitalization is part of a broader effort to enhance Albania's transportation infrastructure. The Italian company INC S.P.A was awarded the contract for the project with a 69.69 million euro bid.

Despite years of stagnation and disuse, the renewal of the Tirana-Durres railway line promises to usher in a new era of more efficient, faster transportation in Albania. As citizens eagerly await the railway's completion, the project stands as a symbol of the country's continued progress and development.

Once finished, the railway is expected to have a profound positive impact on the country, including better connectivity, reduced traffic congestion between the cities, and new job opportunities. This key project is seen as a stepping stone towards a more sustainable and integrated transportation system for Albania.

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