Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced today that the work has commenced on the Blue Corridor, a modern European-standard highway designed to link the northern and southern regions of the country.
Rama extended his apologies and called for the public’s patience.
“We are closely monitoring the valid concerns of motorists along the Shkodra-Tirana route this summer, and we are well aware that the substantial increase in visitor traffic during this remarkable tourism season has exacerbated the usual traffic situation along this stretch, particularly in the Milot-Kashar section. While this remarkable surge in tourism is a significant reward for our persistent efforts, I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by this long-anticipated development, which we will have to endure for a while longer until the Blue Corridor is in place,” Rama elaborated in a social media post.
The Prime Minister highlighted that “the positive news is that comprehensive efforts, encompassing planning and financing, to connect Western Albania from the north to the south through the Blue Corridor, a high-standard European highway, have finally transitioned into a phase of tangible implementation, which is just as eagerly anticipated as the impressive ongoing progress in the tourism industry”.
Additionally, Prime Minister Rama listed all the ongoing road segments under development.
“Significant progress is being made in the Thumana-Kashar section, with over 40% of the work completed. For the Milot-Thumana / Kashar-Lekaj / Lekaj-Fier segments, tenders have been finalized, and three new contracts are ready to commence immediately. The tender for the Milot-Balldren section will be initiated in the upcoming autumn. The Murriqan-Lezha segment, which connects with Montenegro, is currently being planned by consultants from the Western Balkans Investment Fund (WBIF), with the preliminary project expected to be submitted by December 2023,” Rama detailed.
“The Blue Corridor will serve as the backbone of Albania’s 2030 tourism infrastructure, shaping up day by day like a rising star in the Western Balkans. As a result of both the Blue Corridor and various local public initiatives, along with substantial private investments in tourism, travelers using the heavily frequented Shkodra-Tirana route will no longer endure the current inconveniences. A little more patience will pay off, and Albania’s coastal tourism will undoubtedly be one of our nation’s major sources of pride,” Rama concluded.
