The new bridge spanning the Osumi River in Berat city is slated to incur a cost exceeding 3.2 million euros.

Recent data from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) indicates that the contract has been formally executed, with ALB Building emerging as the winning company tasked with completing construction by November of the coming year.

This investment in Berat is made possible through a loan extended by the EBRD to the Albanian government for the implementation of the “Albanian Infrastructure and Tourism Facilitation” program.

The loan, granted a few years ago, earmarked a total of 60 million euros from the EBRD for infrastructure projects aimed at areas with significant tourism potential.

Furthermore, this program enjoys co-financing from the European Union, with grants totaling up to 40 million euros, in addition to the provision of technical support.

Berat is just one of the regions poised to benefit from this loan, with the overarching goal of enhancing the tourism offerings in the region’s natural areas. This includes improving access to the Osumi River Valley, which encompasses the construction of the new Osumi River bridge.

The program’s efforts extend beyond Berat to several regions throughout Albania, including Shkodra. In July, efforts began on the reconstruction and enhancement of the Shiroka-Zogaj road and border with Montenegro, alongside initiatives to provide water supply and sewage systems for the Shiroka-Zogaj area, expected to be completed by the following July.

The Albanian Development Fund, serving as the contracting authority and project implementation agency, has already signed contracts worth 2.7 million euros, furthering the program’s objectives.

Additionally, other regions stand to gain from this financing initiative. Fier, notably Apollonia, is set to receive support under the “Enhancing Cultural Tourism Potential through Archaeological Park Interventions in Apollonia, Fier”. Durrës, on the other hand, is in line for two initiatives aimed at improving its coastal promenade and rehabilitating facades.

In the Korça region, this program outlines interventions in Voskopoja under the “Augmenting Cultural Tourism Potential through Heritage Site Interventions in Voskopoja”. These interventions include work on St. John the Baptist’s Monastery, St. Michael’s Church, Vithkuq’s Monastery, and St. Mary’s Church.