Accompanied by ministers Arben Ahmetaj and Erion Veliaj, members of the “Alliance for European Albania” coalition and representatives of local government, Prime Minister Rama was today in Gjirokastra to inspect the progress of several important projects for the city within the project “Renaissance of Cities ”
Prime Minister Rama inspected works for the construction of the Park Viroi in Gjirokaster. The promenade of Vrioi Park is 1.7 km long and lies around Lake Viroi. This investment is intended to revitalize the park as a tourist destination, but also to turn it into a social space for citizens of Gjirokastra. The works have included the reconstruction or building from scratch of 7 road segments that combine routes for vehicles with pedestrian sidewalks, jogging tracks and bicycle lanes. Open-air amphitheater, basketball fields and other facilities for sporting activities are being built for the first time in the Park.
Another important project for Gjirokastra is the complete reconstruction of the city’s entrance road, in the segment road from Viroi Park to the Cemetery. The project aims at reconstructing and expanding the existing road, putting horizontal and vertical signage, sewage and drinking water etc. The space also is transformed. A pedestrian walkway will be on the side of the road lined with decorative stone slabs, jogging track and bike lanes. This investment will give Gjirokastra an entrance road where traditional and contemporary elements intertwine.
In addition, the reconstruction of the cobblestone streets of the city museum area has begun. A special project is being implemented for the reconstruction of roads leading to the house of writer Ismail Kadare, including the construction of new layers of pavement, construction of sidewalks in specific parts of the road, upholster with black stone tiles of the “Fools’ street” and street lighting with decorative columns in all three segments.
In addition, 29 streets and alleys of the city, with a total length of approximately 5.4 km are being totally reconstructed. The rehabilitation includes the construction of new pavement layers, cobblestone sidewalks, underground infrastructure, construction of works of art, sidewalks on streets with asphalt, street lighting with decorative columns.
Reconstruction of the high school “Siri Shapllo” is another work site in this city.
After inspecting the sites of the urban renaissance, Prime Minister Rama said that after years of oblivion, Gjirokastra is getting back the attention it deserves. We are keeping our commitment and investing in Gjirokastra as much as it has been in over 20 years together.
“It is a beautiful day today in Gjirokastra, because the city is starting to breathe and the projects of our renaissance site are beginning to take shape, and recover Gjirokastra’s lost hope for so many years. In addition, they will turn attention towards this great treasure of our cultural heritage. We will continue to do for Gjirokastra even more. We have already kept our commitment. Gjirokastra will get more attention and more funding than it has in the past 20 years altogether. However, it will continue even in the coming years and Gjirokastra will begin to shine as it deserves thanks to the governing of socialists and progressives “.
