Road and railway Corridor VIII - How is the implementation of the strategic axis in the Albanian territory progressing?
Corridor VIII, one of the most important infrastructure projects for regional integration, is gradually advancing in both the road and rail components. Originally a regional project in the 1990s and later included in the European priority network TEN-T, the corridor aims to connect the port of Durres and Vlora with North Macedonia and further with Bulgaria, creating a strategic axis between the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea.
In the road component, the completion of several lots in the Elbasan – Qafë Thanë segment is expected this year. According to the Albanian Road Authority, in addition to lot I, which is already completed, the completion of phases II, III and V, which include the segment from Labinot-Fushë to Librazhd, is expected within the year. Phase V foresees the construction of the tunnel, divided into two segments, one of which starts after the Murrash bridge, directly connecting phase III with the continuation of the axis. In total, in the Elbasan – Qafë Thanë direction there are 8 contracts covering 26 kilometers.
In parallel, 6 more lots in the Elbasan - Rrogozhina direction, covering about 20 kilometers out of a total of 40.7 km, are expected to be completed within 2026. Once completed, the axis will be a category B interurban road, with two lanes in each direction and a permitted speed of 90 to 140 km/h.
However, to make the full connection, a number of segments will still have to be tendered. In the direction from Elbasan to Qafë Thanë, the construction of the road from the village of Xhyrë to the connection with North Macedonia will have to be contracted. Meanwhile, in the direction from Elbasan to Rrogozhina, the segment from Peqin to the connection with the Adriatic-Ionian highway remains to be procured. In addition, the Elbasan bypass will have to be built, which will connect the 2 segments that are currently being built.
On the railway front, the Durrës – Rrogozhinë segment is considered the project closest to completion. The financing of 120.5 million euros has been secured through a grant of 60.5 million euros from the European Union and two loans from the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The rehabilitation and electrification of the 33.5 km line is expected to be completed in 2028, enabling train speeds of up to 120 km/h and approximation to European standards.
Meanwhile, the Rrogozhinë – Pogradec axis, with a length of 120.3 km, is in the phase of preparing the detailed project, which is expected to be completed in March 2027. This process is financed by a grant from the Western Balkans Investment Framework, while after the maturity of the project, an application for a grant and the relevant loans is expected. With a total length of 153.8 km in Albanian territory, the railway component of Corridor VIII aims to reduce transport costs, increase safety and lower emissions, including Albania in a regional multimodal network.
EU faces electricity price dilemma - Chemical industry among the most affected with factory closures
As European Union leaders consider new ideas to address the demands of energy-intensive industries, new proposals to lower electricity prices will be on the......
Lagarde, resigning before the end of Macron's mandate? - Exclusive news from the Financial Times. She denies the ECB
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde plans to step down before next year's French presidential election to give President Emmanuel Macron a say......
EU must prepare for worsening weather - Economic damage to infrastructure estimated at 45 billion euros per year
The European Union is unprepared for worsening climate change and must urgently increase its investments to protect people and infrastructure from increasing......
EU, fee for packages from Shein and Temu - Decision, how much will buyers pay from July 1, 2026?
The European Council has approved the measure for small parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu, giving the "green light" to the introduction of a fee......
Corridor VIII, NATO's security axis/ From freight transport to troop movement. Strengthens the Alliance's southeastern flank
Not only for the movement of goods and passengers, but also of military troops. Corridor VIII is also a NATO security corridor. During the Ministerial held a......
Why is food more expensive in Albania? - Analysis/ Reasons why the depreciation of the euro is not reflected in prices
Imported products in Albania often cost more than in their countries of origin. This is also noticeable when the euro depreciates, as has happened in recent......
Salla: New cooperation model with six municipalities for the protection of chestnut groves
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Andis Salla, signed today cooperation agreements with the municipalities of Shkodër, Tropojë, Malësi e......
General Directorate of Customs: Over 7500 kg of flour beyond the expiration date is blocked!
The Durrës Customs Branch announces that during a physical inspection of the premises of a commercial entity, authorized to use the Inward Processing Regime,......
