A new tunnel forming part of Albania’s Tirana-Elbasan highway is due to open in May

Work is progressing on track for construction of the new highway linking Albania’s capital Tirana with the city of Elbasan. The Albanian Public Works Ministry expects the Tirana-Elbasan highway to be opened in the second quarter of 2013. Contractors Aktor and Copri are working on the project and most of the major engineering work has been completed. The project is being funded by backers including the Islamic Bank of Development and the OPEC Fund, as well as the Albanian Government.

Construction work has started on Albania’s latest highway project, which will connect the capital Tirana with the city of Elbasan in the centre of the country. Construction work on a 32km stretch of the highway, including a 4.3km tunnel, is being carried out by Greek contractor Aktor.

The Albanian Government has reduced its estimate for the cost of the new road link between capital Tirana and Elbasan. This $110 million reduction sees the project now costing an expected $290 million, instead of the $400 million originally forecast.