Work to construct Kardhiq-Delvine road, a strategic project that will open up significant new areas of tourism potential and economic development of this area in southern Albania, has entered an intense phase with over 50 percent of construction works already complete. The new national road Kardhiq-Delvine will avoid driving along the badly maintained and destroyed road winding the Muzine Pass and it will shorten the trip between Tirana and the southern coastal town of Saranda.
Prime Minister Edi Rama inspected the progress of construction works on a segment of the new national road. The Head of the Albanian Road Authority Sonila Qato said that project implementation is progressing at a satisfactory pace. “This is the forth section of the works to construct the new road linking Delvine and Kardhiq. With the works underway to construct the 6.1-km section, we have already finished 50 percent of the construction works planned. In technical terms, we have already finished other related works, including construction of retaining walls, installation of concrete culvert pipes, while we are working to construct two viaducts and two bridges.”
The Kardhiq-Delvin road will have a direct impact on tourism development. “It is one of the most important road axis because its construction will give a fresh impetus to investments in tourism industry as one of the government top priorities. The road will boost tourism development in this region, linking Gjirokastra, Saranda, as well as Tepelena, about which work is underway to construct Tepelena Bypass road. We have made best efforts to keep pace with the project demands and schedule to ensure quality and make sure that the taxpayers money go to support quality public works and make sure that the project runs on schedule and completes on November 2020,” Qato said.
The construction manager emphasized that despite problems during the cold winter months, project is progressing as scheduled. “Construction works are progressing at a satisfactory pace. We have completed 50 percent of the works to construct the road’s track. The work was hampered due to heavy snow during winter months, yet the result is very pleasing. We are now building the first two most important bridges. Project includes use of fence wire or protection from escarpment along the road.”
The Premier urged the construction company that in addition to meeting the road safety standards, a special project should be implemented for the rehabilitation and greening the road’s sides on the mountain slope, or the hillsides affected by road construction. “This is one of the most serious problems we inherit in terms of the work culture. A project is needed to rehabilitate the whole parts damaged during the construction works. The work volume is very satisfactory. Our challenge is not merely to build roads, but quality, stable and environmentally friendly roads.”
