Prime Minister Edi Rama inspected today the construction site of the overpass at the intersection of the Road Kavaja with the New Ring Road. Accompanied by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sokol Dervishaj, and mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, the Prime Minister observed closely the progress of the works in this important segment of the Great Ring Road which is expected to minimise transport congestion in an area with approximately 100 thousand residents, as well as ease traffic in downtown.
“This segment provides solutions to an important traffic hub, to all the traffic flowing from the south of Tirana. And of course, it stabilizes all the traffic flowing from Customs, from Durres to Elbasan, thus avoiding congestion athwart Tirana, at Skanderbeg Square or in smaller ring roads of the city. Along with the 600-metre segment which is being procured by the Ministry of Transports, we believe that by the summer we will finish this segment, the “Skanderbeg” Square and the New Boulevard, which are Tirana’s three main and most urgent projects at the moment”, Mayor Veliaj told about the project.
This segment connects the TEG area with the Tirana-Elbasan road, thus turning into an important node connecting this road to the highway Tirana-Durres by applying a new concept in the design of road sections which is the integrated movement and the connection of the roads crossing the main economic areas.
“The investment is proceeding according to forecasts, and in the spring we will have completed at least the segment from where we are now to TEG, so that upon completion of the TEG segment – the tunnel of the road Tirana – Elbasan – this will be an artery linking the highway Tirana – Durres – Elbasan according to a much broader concept of integrated traffic and infrastructure development. The investment will be completed successfully and will relieve pressure on the roads of this part of Tirana, in addition to connecting the main roads crossing the economic areas in the country”, minister Dervishaj underlined.
After years of foot-dragging by the previous municipal administration, the completion of this segment, along with the New Boulevard and Square “Skanderbeg” do, according to the Prime Minister, put in a new perspective the development of the capital’s infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also pledged support for the adjustment of some problematic road joints for movement in Tirana.
“It is important that it has been put on track because it was one of Tirana’s stalled projects, like the boulevard, due to delays and lack of a minimal organization in the City Hall. Now, the situation is 100% reversed. Also, it is important that the Ministry of Transportation will very soon provide a solution to the segment connecting this important work with the rest of the ring road, and this part of the ring road will be fully operational. Meanwhile, we will continue to finance the other side in order to connect the areas of upper Farka and Bregu i Lumit. Unfortunately, what happened in “Zogu i Zi” a few years ago turned into something with a very high cost for citizens today, because that node needs an immediate intervention, just as another readjustment is required to the other node at the “Eagle”. Had we completed these works in due time, we wouldn’t have had the barbarian hindrances we have faced, and today we would have been in totally different conditions. But now, the important thing is that we finish this part, and then we will certainly find a solution to “Zogu i Zi” and the “Eagle”. Meanwhile the completion of the New Boulevard, of the Square “Skanderbeg” and also of this the work, place on a new basis the platform of Tirana’s infrastructure development”, Prime Minister Rama said.
In addition to the main segment with 4 lanes, this 1.4 kilometre segment of the Great Ring will include also two parallel roads on both sides, and the construction of two overpasses, one in the area of Selita and one in Kavaja Street. Currently works are being carried out for the asphalt layers, sidewalks and signage.
