The European Union is directing significant resources to the Western Balkans, allocating a total of €171 million to boost entrepreneurship and upgrade critical infrastructure. This package also includes the electrification project of the Durres-Tirana railway connection, which is financed by the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) with €25.1 million and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
The intervention concerns a 42-kilometer line and marks Albania's transition to a modern, zero-emission electric railway network, with speeds of up to 120 km/h. The aim is to upgrade transport, reduce environmental impact and adapt to European interoperability standards.
The electrification is part of a broader plan that includes the renovation of the existing railway Infrastructure between Tirana and durres, Totaling 34.5 km, as well as the construction Of a new 7.4 km line connecting the capital With Rina International Airport. these interventions are expected to serve Approximately 1.5 million residents, more than half of the country's population.
The project is being implemented by the Italian INC Spa, which is expected to build two new tunnels and rehabilitate seven existing ones. The WBIF has provided 2.75 million euros for the preparation of the investment, while the European Union is contributing an additional 1.5 million euros. At the same time, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is participating with financing of 36.9 million euros.
Η γραμμή Δυρράχιο – Τίρανα εντάσσεται στον Διάδρομο VIII και λειτουργεί ως προέκταση του Μεσογειακού Διαδρόμου του Διευρωπαϊκού Δικτύου Μεταφορών (TEN-T), ενισχύοντας τη διασύνδεση της Αλβανίας με τα ευρωπαϊκά μεταφορικά δίκτυα. Στο ίδιο πλαίσιο εκσυγχρονισμού του σιδηροδρομικού συστήματος της χώρας προβλέπονται ακόμη δύο μεγάλα έργα: η γραμμή Δυρράχιο – Βόρα – Σκόδρα – Xάνι Χότιτ προς τα σύνορα με το Μαυροβούνιο, μήκους 140 χλμ., και η γραμμή Δυρράχιο – Αυλώνα – Πόγκραδετς προς τα σύνορα με τη Βόρεια Μακεδονία, μήκους 137 χλμ.
