The European Commission has allocated Euro 171 million to support the private sector and infrastructure investments in the Western Balkans, with the only railway project supported being the electrification of the Durres–Tirana line in Albania.

The funding is provided through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) with a value of Euro 13.2 million, out of a total eligible amount of Euro 25.1 million. The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The line is 42 km long and, with its electrification, Albania will switch to a zero-emission electric system with a speed of 120 km/h, in order to modernize transport, reduce pollution, and meet EU interoperability standards.

The electrification of the Durrës–Tirana line is part of a larger project involving the rehabilitation of the railway sections between the capital Tirana and the main port of Durres, with a total length of 34.5 km, as well as the construction of 7.4 km of new railway between Tirana and Rinas International Airport. Approximately 1.5 million people, representing one-third of the country’s population, live in the area served by this section, and the two cities are the largest in Albania.

The project to modernize, electrify, and construct the section to Rinas International Airport is being carried out by the Italian company INC Spa. In addition, it will build two new tunnels and reconstruct seven existing tunnels. It will build two new tunnels and reconstruct seven existing tunnels.

Through the WBIF, the project received Euro 2.75 million in grants for the costs associated with preparing the project for the investment phase, of which Euro 1.5 million was provided by the EU. In addition, an EU grant of Euro 35.5 million was allocated in 2016 under the Connectivity Agenda for investment works. The project also benefits from support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) totaling Euro 36.9 million.

The Durrës–Tirana line is located on Corridor VIII and is an extension of the Mediterranean Corridor, part of the TEN-T.

The project complements two other planned improvements on sections of Corridor VIII and Route 2 of the Mediterranean Corridor in Albania, including: Route 2: Durrës – Vora – Shkodra – Hani Hotit / border with Montenegro (140 km); Corridor VIII: Durrës – Vlora – Pogradec / border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (137 km).