Traffic in southeastern Albania is being severely tested, as major roads are showing extensive damage just months after their completion. Constant landslides, cracks in the road surface and deformed safety barriers create an unsafe environment for drivers and professional transporters.
After the closure of the Liberazd-Pogradec road, traffic was diverted alternatively via the Malis-Lausanne-Moglica-Grams route. However, this option also proved unsafe. According to the Korçë Police, only private vehicles are now allowed to pass, while buses and trucks are prohibited due to the extensive damage along the entire length of the road.
Along the route, there are landslides, rock falls and severe lateral displacements of the road surface. In some places, the asphalt has "cracked", while the protective railings have buckled, revealing the road's stability problems. Residents and drivers report a situation that worsens after each heavy rainfall.
At the same time, difficulties are also being recorded on the so-called "golden" Kukes-Kiaf Plots axis, which had been presented as a key project for connecting the southeast of the country with Elbasan and Tirana. The damage that occurred with the first autumn rains raises reasonable questions about the quality of construction and the effectiveness of supervision.
The financial footprint of the projects is Heavy. the Malis-Lausanne-Moglitsa-Grams axis was financed With approximately 1.4 billion lek, while the Kukes-Kiafe Plots Project Received approximately 260 Million euros. despite The high funds, the roads are already showing serious shortcomings.
The developments bring back to the fore the issue of maintenance, the responsibility of contractors and the control of technical specifications by the Competent authorities. for citizens, however, the basic question remains simple: how safe is it today to travel on these national highways?
