"Durrës-Tirana Railway to be Completed in 2026" - Spahiu: Cost 120 million euros. Electric trains challenge, 2-3 million euros/locomotive
Albania has entered a new phase of development and modernization of the railway network aimed at improving transportation and increasing efficiency in public transport.
One of the most important projects is the modernization of the Durrës-Tirana railway line, which will enable faster and safer connections between Albania's two largest cities, and will improve the flow of goods and passengers.
The administrator of the railway network in the south of the country, Dritan Spahiu, said on the GDP show on SCAN TV that in 2026, this project will be completely completed.
"The project is going quite well, but considering some features, since it is the first time that we will have it completely electrified, there have been some expropriation issues that have already been resolved in the Tirana-Rinas segment, which is a completely new segment. There have been some negotiations to review the contract, due to the price increase in the last 2-3 years. The contract has also been reviewed, including the stations. So, we will now have a Tirana-Durres railway, not only with a new track, but with stations and electrified. This has caused the project to have some postponements, but we believe that within 2026, this project will be completely completed" - said Spahiu in GDP
The challenge of the project for the Tirana - Durrës segment with a length of about 35 km, according to Spahiu, is the rolling stock, as the cost is very high. The tender, including the additions made for the construction of stations and electrification, is about 120 million euros.
"The challenge of this project is the rolling stock. Because they cannot be locomotives from the '80s, but they will be electrified. The order for a new locomotive goes for 2-3 million euros. And to solve this challenge, there are several variants. A prior commitment is required for the rolling stock. If we take the Tirana-Durrës segment, which is about 35 km, the tender, despite the additions that have been made for the construction of stations and electrification, is about 120 million euros and it should be noted that it is 4 million euros for one km of modernized line. Meanwhile, we have more expensive ones that go over 10 million euros for 1 km, this for railways that have a speed of 300km/hour," he adds on the GDP show.
Spahiu also emphasized the economic and geo-strategic importance of the Durrës-Pristina railway as well as the connection with North Macedonia.
"Other projects we currently have: The Durrës-Pristina feasibility project has been successfully completed, where the most optimal option for the connection with the current Vorë-Hani I Hotit railway has been chosen. This is the only project that has not been financed by the EU, but has been financed by the 2 state railway companies. Financing will remain a challenge, but I believe that regardless of the economic feasibility project, it is very important to build it due to its geostrategic importance," says Spahiu.
The entire region, added the administrator of the railway network in the south of the country, must be integrated. Albania is a beneficiary of funds, half of which are grants from the European Union, and the connection with the RMV is in all EU projects.
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