The infrastructure of the Tirana-Rinas-Durrës railway is almost complete. The arrival of modern equipment, especially tamping machines, has made it possible to compress and pack the ballast, improving the stability of the tracks. For a more comfortable ride, this equipment also makes it possible to adjust the alignment of the rails, making them parallel and level.

To inspect the work in progress, Belinda Balluku, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, traveled to the Shkozet district through which the project passes. According to Railway Director Ergys Verdho, about 80% of the civil works have been completed and work is still ongoing.

It is important to start the construction of the stations in November. Since the track and the first part of the line development, which involves integrating all signaling and telecommunications into these structures, are intertwined, the signaling and telecommunications cabins will be the focus of efforts. “Electrification is the next step,” Verdho said.In his evaluation of the project, Balluku pointed out that advancements have also been made in other areas that support this work, like the building of stations—ten in all are planned for this route.

“Since the Tirana-Rinas-Durrës project consists of different parts, we have made progress on some of them. Not only are we making progress on the track, but we are doing so at a decent, steady and remarkable pace. About 80% of the procedures have been completed. But we are also making progress on other elements, such as the construction of the station. We have a winner after the international auction for the stations was completed. The contract is currently being finalized by the Albanian Railways, and after the conclusion of the contractual negotiations, the construction of these ten stations, as envisaged in the original railway project, would begin immediately,” said Balluku.

In order to revive one of the most important transport sectors, the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy also talked about other railway projects that will start soon.

“The final component of the railway operation, which is crucial, will take place in December, in parallel with the international tender for the electrification of the railway. With the help of our partners, a thorough international study is being conducted to develop this component. Once it is designed, we will have a clear operating manual for all other railways for which we have bid or won contracts, including the Vorë-Hani i Hotit project, which will start immediately. We have completed all the processes for this railway and we are waiting for the approval of all the other parts we have applied for through the EU Investment Fund, such as Durrës-Rrogozhinë and later Rrogozhinë-Pogradec, which is part of Corridor VIII, one of the most important segments for us, as it connects to the new port of Durrës,” emphasized Balluku. On the Tirana-Nënë Tereza Airport-Durrës railway line, trains will run at 120 kilometers per hour.