The first segment of the Tirana Boulevard will open for all pedestrians and vehicles on June 17. Prime Minister Edi Rama and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj inspected the works for the construction of the New Boulevard and the underground parking, one of the most important strategic projects of the Municipality of Tirana, which is expected to have a direct impact on citizens and the business community.
Prime Minister Edi Rama commended the staff involved in this project for the quality and pace of the works, in order to give the city a new development opportunity.
Mayor Erion Veliaj stated that Tirana will have the first modern boulevard after 100 years, which will be cured in all the details. “The parking at the square “Skanderbeg” will first cover its own expenses, and then after two years it will cover the expenses of the square. Same thing here. It will cover its own costs in two years, and then those of the boulevard. Let’s give a push before the opening of June 17. Many people will be curious to see the first modern boulevard in Tirana after 100 years. Many others will be here for necessity, because of the parking. Once we’re done here, we will focus on the central park and on the last part, the expropriation of the last 200 metres, but the first part will be already functional.”
The project has envisaged an important space for pedestrians who will have available many green areas. The designer said that “Most of this project has been designed for pedestrians only, with green areas and flyovers.”
Prime Minister Rama praised the work carried out with standards as it will pave the way for a new development: “It is a work with absolutely European standards in all respects. It’s a refraction or a mirror opposite to that of the square. The square is an artisan carpet cured in every stone as a unique mosaic, while here we have an industrial carpet, which I am sure, thanks to the high quality work, will soon pave the way for a new development. Most importantly, it will also greatly influence the development with standards of buildings on both sides.”
The project of the North Boulevard and of the Central Park of Tirana will transform this area from its present state as a space left in oblivion, in the main artery of the city’s development in the coming century. An important component is also the construction of underground parking where for the first time there will be charging points for electronic cars. “We are about to open the first 500 meters, the underground parking lot for 307 cars that solves the traffic jam issue at the train station area. Meanwhile, the development plan is underway for future applications. We’ve mainly received applications for commercial buildings. The area is 70 metres wide. We’ve continued with the greenery, canalizations, underground tunnels, up to the river bank. This is the first time we have implemented a system where bicycles lanes and pedestrian paths are in the central part, rather than at the edge of the road”, Mayor Veliaj said.
