TIRANA, May 30 /ATA/ – The Llogara Tunnel road has been officially opened to traffic, shortening the travel time and distance to Albania’s southern coast.
The six-kilometer tunnel will ease the route to the Albanian Riviera by bypassing the sharp turns of the Llogara Pass and the passage through it will be free of charge for all vehicles until September 15, as part of the measures to promote tourism.
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of driving experience through the newly-opened tunnel to the country’s south, describing it as very scenic route.
“This is Albania. The beauty of travelling to south,” PM Rama wrote.
The tunnel was temporarily opened last July for the summer season before closing in November to complete remaining construction work. Considered a major infrastructure investment in southern Albania, the project is expected to boost tourism in one of the country’s most visited regions.
In order to ease traffic and reduce travel time for holidaymakers heading to southern coast during the summer tourist season, only cars, passenger vans and busses are allowed for now to pass through the tunnel. Heavy duty trucks are not allowed.
The Llogara tunnel road stretches from the Shën Eliza bridge in Dukat to the Palasa bridge, marking a major investment in the country’s road network. It will shorten the driving time between Orikum and Palasa to just seven minutes from 30 minutes currently.
The Llogara tunnel is part of an ambitious infrastructure development package and the government’s strategy on development of the tourism sector in Albania.
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