Work is progressing at a good pace at the Tirana Bypass construction site, one of the major road infrastructure projects. With a length of 21 kilometres, this road aims to create a direct link between the Tirana–Durrës motorway and the Tirana–Elbasan motorway, bypassing the capital and enabling connections with the road sections of the Blue Corridor.

At the construction site, Prime Minister Edi Rama was accompanied by the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Enea Karakaçi, and the Director of the Albanian Road Authority, Ami Kozeli.

“This is a very important section because it connects the Durrës–Tirana motorway with the Tirana–Elbasan motorway. We connect at the Kashar interchange and come out at TEG, bypassing the entrance to Tirana. Here we are on the first 10 kilometres, which are funded and contracted by the Albanian Road Authority. Work has progressed well, with around 50% of the work completed on the two lots that have been contracted. The remaining section, since the entire road is 21 kilometres long, the remaining 11 kilometres, is financed by the EBRD(European Bank for Reconstruction and Development). For this, we have also secured a 40% grant, around €53 million, from the Western Balkans Investment Framework.

We expect to approve the financing agreement with the EBRD within the first quarter of 2027, so that work can also begin on the remaining 11-kilometre section.

On the lots contracted by the Albanian Road Authority, we have completed more than 50% of the work, and this is important because it also connects the two Blue Corridor concessions, Thumanë–Kashar and Kashar–Lekaj.

We will begin construction by the end of the year. I expect the first expropriations for the Kashar–Rrogozhinë concession to take place during November, and work will also begin by the end of the year on this important road, which then connects the entire Blue Corridor. In this sense, the section we have just seen, the Tirana Bypass, also serves as a very effective valve because, besides removing the need to enter Tirana to reach any road section to the south, it also connects the Blue Corridor,” said the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy.

The project is expected to help ease traffic, shorten journey times and improve vehicle circulation, creating an important alternative for travel towards the south and south-east of the country.

“What everyone in this area should bear in mind is the significant increase in the value of their property. At the same time, of course, every expropriation will be carried out properly, transparently and in accordance with the law. This road will also relieve the capital of an excessive traffic burden, one imposed by the absence of this road, which means everyone has to enter Tirana. In this way, part of the traffic will continue freely towards the south or south-east, depending on the direction of travel, while the rest will have greater freedom of movement when entering and leaving the capital,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Once completed, the Tirana Bypass will mark another important step in the transformation of the country’s road infrastructure, giving the capital more breathing space, making journeys faster and providing the Blue Corridor with a direct connection towards southern Albania.