TIRANA, March 14/ATA/ Murrizi Tunnel, part of the Arbri Road, opened today for vehicle traffic, significantly cutting the distance between the cities.
The tunnel opened after a challenging task from the start of the works due to the problematic geology of the area through which it passes.
Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku and Minister of Justice Ulsi Manja, Prime Minister Edi Rama participated in the inauguration event, while the square in front of the tunnel was crowded with local residents of the area.
Minister Balluku said that there have already been carried out the relevant tests for the road and the tunnel and it came out that they are built according to all parameters.
“We do not anticipate having traffic disruptions as we previously expected since this tunnel was in a geologically problematic area, but now everything is complete,” said Balluku.
She appreciated this investment as the pride of Albanian infrastructure while she took the opportunity to announce that the Maqellara-Peshkopi Road will also be completed by April.
Murrizi Tunnel also makes the entire Arbri Road, one of the most important national roads, accessible for the people. The road will bring economic growth in the area and in the tourism sector.
Murrizi Tunnel is 3.78 kilometers long and consists of two tubes, one for traffic and one for emergency. It has 11 exits. In total, the Arbri Road has 7 tunnels, with a total length of 8.5 km.
With a length of about 74 km, the Arbri Road, which cost the state budget 33.6 billion lekë, will become an important East-West connecting corridor.
The Arbri Road will not only bring the citizens of Tirana and all of Albania closer to Dibra and North Macedonia, but will also be an artery of economic development and tourism.
This road connects the eastern and northeastern regions of Albania, improving the transportation of residents living in the areas through which the road passes, and ensures the transportation of underground natural resources, such as chromium, from Bulqiza to the port of Durrës.
Also, this road will be the shortest route connecting Tirana with Dibra, as well as with North Macedonia, Dibra e Madhe, Tetova and Skopje, so it will be an international connecting road./p.s./
