TIRANA, June 9 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama took to the social media on Sunday to post images showing ongoing construction at the Llogara Tunnel road in the south-western region of Vlora, a project of strategic importance for tourism in the Ionian Riviera, set to open to traffic this month.
Construction is in full swing at the 5.9-km long Llogara Tunnel road, around 20 km south of the coastal city of Vlora, a major infrastructure n investment project worth 142 million euros and with a direct impact on the country’s economy.
Concrete reinforcement of the main tunnel has completed along its entire length to date while work is underway on installation of the electromechanical and lighting system.
The main tunnel walls are covered with concrete slabs and feature complex drainage, ventilation, fire and smoke suppression systems, lighting system, emergency calls and traffic signs.
The tunnel also features 1.17-m wide sidewalks. The main tube is 7.70 m wide and 4.70 m high, equipped with a ventilation system, as well as underground and surface water drainage system. Some 11 cross passages to the emergency tube are constructed along the main tube for the traffic, 5 for vehicles and 6 for pedestrians.
The new infrastructure work is expected to have a major impact on development of the local economy and tourism in Albania’s south, significantly improving driving experience and quality, as well as shortening the drive time so that local and international visitors can reach their preferred destinations easily.
The project will also provide a new road link, replacing Albania’s notorious Llogara Pass, which features many switchbacks and can be particularly treacherous in winter time.
The Llogara tunnel with a 50 to 80 km/h limit will be a dual carriageway and will include also an emergency lane.
When it opens to traffic, the journey time between Saranda and Vlora will be reduced by around 40 minutes, while road safety will also be improved.
This project is a long-awaited one, which boosts road safety, cuts the distance to the coast and promotes tourism development.
Work on construction of the Llogara Tunnel kicked off on November 2021. The tunnel will shorten the driving time between Orikum and Palasa to just seven minutes from 55 minutes currently, which will result in an increase in the number of tourists visiting the area.
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