The contract with the winning company that will conduct the feasibility study for the Durrës-Tiranë railway has been finalized, with a total value of around 202 million lek or approximately 2 million euros, including value-added tax.
The consortium of operators ILF Consulting Engineers Austria GmbH & ABKONS LLC was declared the winner just a short while ago, as the procedure took more than a year to complete due to encountered issues.
The procedure concluded at the Public Procurement Commission and was subsequently re-announced. The implementation period for this contract between the Albanian Railways and the winning company is 14 months, at the end of which the study will be delivered.
Railway project
The estimated cost of the Durrës-Prishtina railway is calculated at 700 million euros. This railway line is considered of special importance.
“The idea of building this railway line is of triple importance. Firstly, through this railway line, the exchange of goods transport between Albania, Kosovo, and the wider region will significantly increase due to lower costs and greater capacities. Secondly, it is related to the development of railway passenger transport, which will be very attractive and favorable for both countries and beyond. Thirdly, this railway line offers the best and most favorable alternative for the shorter connection of Albania’s railway network, namely corridor VIII with corridor X,” according to documents.
They also highlight several alternatives regarding the route.
Alternative 1: Construction of the railway line (Mjedë – Border at Qafë Morinë – Kramovik)
Albanian part of the itinerary
The railway connection between Albania and Kosovo is conceived as a very challenging line, as it passes through mountainous terrain. The total length from Mjedë to the border with Kosovo is about 107 km. The maximum projected speed is 100 km/h.
Alternative 2: Construction of the railway line (Milot – Border at Vërmicë – Landovicë).
Albanian part of the itinerary
Since 1999, the railway connection between Albania and Kosovo has been envisaged through the existing line from Milot to the city of Rrëshen and its extension further towards the gorge of Fan i Vogël. In 2005, within the railway route, starting from the Milot station towards the Rubik station, the construction of the Milot – Rrëshen – Kalimash highway began. The Albanian part of the line, together with the Milot – Rrëshen section, covers a length of about 108 km. This section includes a tunnel about 11.5 km long that enters the area of Bisaku and exits in the area of the Drin River near Skavica.
Alternative 3: To be determined by the consultant
This alternative remains to be analyzed and selected by the Consultant itself, based on on-site visits and calculations performed, and as such, it will be proposed to the Client.
