The Elbasan-Qafë Thane road, part of corridor VIII, which is currently being upgraded, is one of the promising infrastructure projects with a very important dimension for the development of tourism in the southeastern part of the country, as well as a connection to North Macedonia, Greece, and Bulgaria.

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared pictures from the road under construction on social networks and informed that a total of 42% of the project has been already completed.

The Elbasan-Qafë Thane segment together with the Durrës - Pristina - Nish segment will finally give the New Commercial Port of Durrës the much-desired strategic role as an East-West connecting node for the movement of goods, he noted.

The road lies on a completely new track by the river Shkumbin, giving a solution to a problem related to the lack of interventions over the years in the systemization of the river bed.

Also, the project directly affects the improvement of the living conditions of the surrounding areas, which will be connected to the Administrative Centers and Border Administrative Centers, but will also highlight the panoramic view of the area.

The Elbasan-Qafë Thana road is a work that will be developed in 8 lots, while the first and second lots are active at this moment. In 2024, it will continue with the opening of the fifth and sixth lot, while in 2025 with the 7th and 8th lot.