The governments of Albania and Kosovo have approved a feasibility study and a masterplan for a 105.8-kilometer railway connection between Tirana and Pristina, Albania’s Infrastructure Ministry said.

The planned railway link will extend from the Tirana-Durres segment, continuing through the northwestern Albanian city of Shkoder, passing through Gjakova in southwestern Kosovo, and connecting to Pristina via the existing Pristina-Peje line, Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku said on Monday.

The ceremony for presenting the feasibility study, which was held on Monday evening, was attended by high-ranking state authorities from both countries, as well as the mayors of the municipalities where the railway is expected to pass, such as Shkodra and Gjakova.

During her speech, Balluku said that this is a historic moment for Albania.

According to Balluku, this railway will be a connecting node of the three European corridors and will give special importance to the entire political and geopolitical development of Southeast Europe.

Also present during the presentation, Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj declared that the Durrës-Pristina railway line is a bold step towards a future where mobility, trade, and cooperation will break down borders.

Malaj said that the right track has now been opened, with the completion of the feasibility study financed through the budgets of both countries.

Malaj said that the project turns Albania into a gateway for Kosovo, for the region, towards the Mediterranean and beyond, generating employment, investment, and sustainable economic growth.

In November, state-owned Albanian Railways said it had awarded a contract to a consortium between Austria’s ILF Consulting Engineers and Albanian consultancy services provider Abkons for the feasibility study and concept design of the project. The project is supported by EBRD, EIB, and EU grants?.

The General Director of Albanian Railways Ergys Verdho stated on Tuesday that the railway connecting Durres with Pristina will bring economic growth, development in remote villages, and an increase in the number of tourists.

Verdho also spoke about the cost of the project and the estimated construction deadlines. “The cost of the project has been calculated at approximately Euro 1.8 billion. The detailed engineering project will also yield the exact value. The progress according to the deadlines set by the consultant is 1 year for the study, 1 year for procurement, 7 years for the construction of the railway, and 1 year for commissioning. So it will be ready in 10 years. However, we need to find the right way of financing and implementation to complete this project faster,” said the head of Albanian Railways.

Verdho noted that the distance from Durrës to Gjakova will be covered in 3 hours, with a train speed of 120 km/h. The railway will be 105.8 km long and will have 43 bridges, 14 tunnels, and 7 new stations.