The Albanian Railway has signed a contract with the winning company for the design of the rehabilitation of the Rrogozhina-Vlora railway line and the construction of a new line that will connect the city of Vlora with the international airport of this city.

The winner of the tender was the Austrian company ILF Consulting Engineers Austria, which offered a price of Lek 78.81 million, value-added VAT excluded, for the drafting of the project idea, while the final contract has a value of Lek 94,572,000, VAT included.

The procurement procedure with a limit fund of Lek 95 million was opened in December last year.

According to the tender documents, the existing Rrogozhina - Vlora railway line, with a length of 84.27 kilometers, is currently operating below its optimal capacity due to the depreciated infrastructure and the need for deep technical interventions. Meanwhile, the contract also includes the study for the construction of a new railway line that will connect the city of Vlora with the airport that is being built.

The new railway line will be electric and designed for a speed of up to 120 kilometers per hour. The aim is to create integrated transport between the railway and the airport, ensuring faster, safer, and more sustainable access for passengers. According to the Albanian Railways, this project will also contribute to increasing the safety of movement and reducing road accidents.

A new international airport on Albania’s southern coast is just weeks away from launching operations, Bloomberg reported last week - placing the country firmly on the map for global tourism and high-end investment. The report also highlights Jared Kushner’s plans to develop a Dollar 1.4 billion luxury resort on nearby Sazan Island, signaling a new era for the region.