Albania's government is inviting bids in a tender for the construction of a 6 km Llogara tunnel in the country's southwestern coastal region of Vlora, the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku said.

The deadline for submission of bids is February 12 and the estimated cost of the project is around Lek 19 billion (Euro 155 million), value-added tax (VAT) excluded, Minister Balluku said in a video file posted by the country’s prime minister Edi Rama on Facebook.

The contract for the construction of the tunnel is expected to be signed in April, Balluku said, adding that the tunnel is expected to be opened for traffic in 2024.

Balluku said that this has been “a dream of all governments” as well as “an electoral promise” claimed in many elections.

“The Llogara tunnel has been a dream for all governments, as it is the key to success towards the tourism strategy in the southern part of the country. This has been an electoral promise by all preceding government, but like many other projects it will become a reality during the Rama government,” Infrastructure Minister highlighted.

The project is under the main focus of architects as well, as it is not only a technical but also a visual solution as it is the main entrance gate towards southern coastal area know as Albanian Riviera.

“It must be emphasized that this a part of the infrastructural chain that sets out from the airport of Vlora, the bypass road, yachts port, entrance to the tunnel, and a spectacular exit to a new road that connects it with the village of Dhermi. It is a thorough infrastructural package that will submitted very soon,” Balluku added.

In September, the government said it selected as winner the proposal for the design of the Llogara tunnel submitted by iC Consulenten Ziviltechniker, ELEA iC and IBE, SEED Consulting shpk and InfraKonsult shpk, local media reported.

The future tunnel is expected to reduce driving time between Orikum and Palasa to just ten minutes from 55 minutes, which will result in an increase in the number of tourists in the area.

PM Rama said in June that the tunnel is expected to have a positive impact on tourism, because it will be close to the planned Vlora airport.