TIRANA, Dec  27 /ATA/ The Llogora Tunnel, one of the most important engineering works, will be opened in its entire length at the end of January next year, as 5.5 km of the total 5.9 km have been opened so far.

Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, also Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, saw  first-hand the works in this tunnel.

Balluku emphasized that the works were expected to be completed at the end of February, but thanks to the satisfactory progress of works the tunnel was opened ahead of schedule.

“The progress of the works is excellent. 5.5 km have been opened, while about 500 m have not been completed yet. “The opening of the tunnel will be followed by an important phase, which is casting in concrete, the electromechanical works, which include lighting, ventilation and the access road exiting the tunnel on the Palasa side of 1.2 km,” said Balluku.

Balluku emphasized that the tunnel is a dream come true, while investors have already started investing in the south coast.

“This tunnel is a great achievement for the economic development of the south of Albania and the infrastructural connection with Vlora Airport. Both these works will help each other. Vehicles and buses with tourists will pass through the Llogora tunnel and the tunnel will also impact the number of tourists who will land at Vlora Airport and not in Tirana,”  Balluku declared.

The work on the construction of the Llogora tunnel 5.9 kilometers at length started on November 14, 2021.

The Llogora tunnel starts from the Saint Eliza bridge in the area of ​​Dukat, to the bridge of Palasa. At a speed of 50-80 km/h, the road will be traversed in 7-10 minutes.

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TIRANA, Oct  24 /ATA/ The 2023 draft budget, which has already been submitted to parliament for discussion, includes an allocation of 6.8 billion lek for the construction of the Llogora tunnel.

The Llogora tunnel, 5.9 kilometers at length, is planned to be completed in February next year.

The work on the construction of the Llogora tunnel started on November 14, 2021. According to the authorities in the country, the works are progressing at high rates, also due to favorable geology.

At the end of February, there will be light at the end of the Llogora tunnel 5.9 km at length,” Deputy Prime Minister, also Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, said.

The Llogora tunnel starts from the bridge of Saint Eliza in the area of ​​Dukat, to the bridge of Palasa. At a speed of 50-80 km/h, the road will be crossed in 7-10 minutes. /j.p/sm/

“Only two months from the kickoff of works, 5% of works have been carried out in this construction site, such as the establishment of the construction site, the diversion of the national road, the excavation of two tunnel portals on the side of Vlora and Palasa, while the excavation inside the tunnels is ongoing, ” said Balluku, while noting that,” the works have not been easy, due to the unsuitable geological formations “.

The Minister called this investment an important work and announced that while the works for the construction of the tunnel continue apace, a bypass will be built in parallel connecting Orikum with Dukat to guarantee smooth circulation of vehicles.

“I came here today, after an inspection on the road axes amid frigid temperatures. For me so far so good, the machinery are all at work. We have a team that gives us hope that the works will go very well now and in the future, ” said Balluku.

The Minister added that, “the winning company offered the best possible design. It was chosen not only for the function, but also for the special design. Coming out of the tunnel, all vehicles will encounter the only suspension bridge in Albania, which consists of two lanes for vehicles and two sidewalks.
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