Deputy Prime Minister, also Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, together with the Director of the Railway, Ergys Verdho, saw first-hand the progress of the works.

Minister Balluku described this project as one of the most important sites, emphasizing that the Albanian Government has launched an ambitious strategy for the revitalization of this sector, where Tirana-Durrës is the first project that will be followed by other projects going forward.

Minister of Infrastructure and Energy also focused on two other important projects in the railway sector, such as Vorë-Hani i Hoti or the VIII Corridor project, which will be implemented with the support of the European Union.

“Railway transport is a priority of the government in place, in terms of our strategic plans and undoubtedly Tirana-Durres will be the first project which will also be the first swallow for the revitalization of this mode of transport,” Balluku said.

“It is one of the most important projects of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, a project that started a long time ago despite bottlenecks in terms of the funding approval. However, all these obstacles have been overcome and today works on the site continue apace. 70% of the volume of work has been completed, while 90% of the volume of artwork is done. The bottom line is that the railway makes an important contribution to environmentally – friendly transport, but also in terms of the finances of the citizen and as such one of the modes of transport heavily incentivized by the European Union.
Albania has already started a strategy on the development of the railway network. This is the first project that we can’t wait to deliver,” said Balluku.
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Prime Minister Edi Rama was also present at the signing ceremony of the agreement.

“We signed the agreement with the European Investment Bank, another partner with the Albanian government in our major project of the construction of the railway line Vorë-Hani i Hotit,” said Minister Balluku.

Deputy Prime Minister described the construction of the 120-kilometer line as important not only for Albania, but also for the region.

“It will facilitate the movement of citizens, but also of goods”, added Balluku.
After Tirana-Durres branching off into Rinas, Minister Balluku announced that the Vorë-Hani i Hotit segment is the second major project of the Albanian government in railway transport.
“The EIB remains one of our major partners for the implementation of some strategic road and railway infrastructure projects,” Balluku said.
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