Albanian Railways has opened a tender worth Lek 1.5 billion (Euro 15.7 million) for the implementation of the railway line extension project from the Public Transport Terminal to the Central Train Station in Tirana.

The contract foresees the construction of a new segment of about 4 km, as a continuation of the existing Durres-Tirana railway line.

The project foresees the construction of two new intermediate stops, “Tirana 1” and “Tirana 2” stations, designed to improve urban access and connection with public transport lines. The stations are part of the new suburban mobility model, which aims to more efficiently distribute the flow of passengers towards the city center.

At the end of the segment, the Tirana Central Station (Tirana CCS) will also be built, which will serve as a connecting node for suburban trains to the airport and Durres.

An important component of the project is the completion of the railway bridge over the Tirana Ring Road, with a length of 71 meters, which guarantees the passage of the line over the urban road infrastructure.

In parallel, the contract includes the rehabilitation of local roads affected by the works, including asphalting, widening of road segments, construction of sidewalks, as well as the installation of protective barriers and noise reduction measures in urban areas.

The new line will be electrified and equipped with a modern signaling and telecommunications system, integrated with the existing Durres-Tirana segment.

The project envisages an operating speed of 70-100 km/h, depending on the segment and urban restrictions, following European standards for urban and intercity railways.

The contract term is 24 months from the signing, while the deadline for submission and opening of bids is June 15, 2026.

This investment is considered part of the second phase of the modernization of the Durres-Tirana railway corridor, which is also linked to the ongoing project towards the “Mother Teresa” international airport.

The Tirana-Durres-TIA railway project is one of the most important investments in the modernization of public transport in Albania, aiming to create an integrated suburban railway system for the metropolitan area of ??the capital.

It consists of the rehabilitation and electrification of the existing Durres-Tirana line, as well as the construction of a new branch towards the “Mother Teresa” international airport. The project includes about 40 km of main line and about 5-6 km of branch to the airport, creating a complete urban and intercity railway corridor.

The line is designed for speeds of up to 100 km/h and will enable very short travel times, around 20-25 minutes from Tirana to Durres and around 10-12 minutes from Tirana to the airport, making the train a competitive alternative to road transport.

The project envisages the construction and modernization of several new stations along the corridor, including those in Kashar, Vora, Shkozet, and others, dedicated urban stations in the Tirana area, as well as a new terminal at the airport.

The project also includes the full electrification of the line, a modern signaling and telecommunications system, and the improvement of supporting infrastructure.