Construction Begins on Alternative Road on Librazhd–Përrenjas Axis After Landslide

During a press conference about the closure of the Librazhd–Përrenjas national highway, representatives from the Albanian Road Authority, the National Civil Protection Agency, Albanian Railways, the Albanian Geological Service, the General Directorate of Customs, and the State Police presented an intervention plan to ensure safety and restore traffic.
According to Ami Kozeli, the director of the Albanian Road Authority, the landslide was identified on February 19 when damage to the road infrastructure was detected. Movement was immediately restricted to one lane, and geological studies were launched. Subsequent heavy rainfall worsened the situation, causing about 30 centimeters of displacement on one side of the existing bridge and leading to a complete traffic closure for safety reasons. Preliminary analyses indicate that prolonged heavy rainfall, erosion from the Shkumbin River, and soil saturation activated an existing landslide mass in the area.
A joint technical council comprising the Albanian Road Authority, Albanian Railways, and academic and geological experts decided to build an alternative road alongside the railway line within the Shkumbin River bed to enable traffic flow until the segment is fully stabilized. They also decided to demolish the out-of-service bridge, divert the river’s flow, and manage surface water to prevent further deterioration.
Ergys Verdho, the Director of Albanian Railways, stated that the area has experienced active landslides for decades and that the increased rainfall in recent months, combined with the increased river flow, has accelerated the movement of the mass. He emphasized that this movement is linked to the area’s geological structure.
According to the Albanian Geological Service, rainfall levels during this period have been approximately three times higher than in the previous two years. This has led to the saturation of geological structures and the destabilization of the terrain. Experts are conducting in-depth studies to determine the final engineering solution.
Haki Çako, the head of the National Civil Protection Agency, stated that all institutions are on full alert. He stressed that ensuring the safety and lives of citizens remains the priority until the road is fully reopened.
In the meantime, the State Police have announced the suspension of traffic on the damaged segment and its diversion to alternative routes. They are implementing a special plan for traffic management and road safety, which includes a 24-hour police presence in the area.
Director General of Customs Besmir Beja stated that measures have been taken to ensure the continuity of goods circulation. These measures include temporarily redirecting processing through the Bllatë and Kakavijë customs points. Customs has increased staff and logistical capacity at these locations and has provided transit solutions for goods that were stranded on the blocked route. These efforts aim to minimize the impact on trade activity.
Authorities state that teams remain on the ground and that traffic will continue to be diverted to alternative routes until this road segment can safely reopen.