Albania's project "Construction of Sustainable Bridges", financed by the World Bank, is in the early stages of implementation, after the effective announcement on December 1, 2023.

The project has overcome some of the challenges of initial implementation and is on track to start physical works for the Viroi and Beshiri bridges within the next 6-8 months, the WB report states.

So far, according to the data of the report, a fund of USD 1.97M has been disbursed or 3.59% of the total fund which is USD 55M that was given from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In addition, the loan from the project bank for bridges also provides budget funds and intervention in a wider list of bridges divided into two groups.

Earlier this year, the Albanian Road Authority opened the procedure for Viroi Bridge, located in the outskirts of Gjirokastra. The implementation project envisages that the entire track will run parallel to the existing road, on its eastern side (from the Drino river side), leaving the existing bridge in operation panoramic promenade.

The project also envisages the transition from a category C road to C2. On the other hand, it is required that the new facility guarantees no flooding from flood waters probably suitable for this road category.

The bridge project began to be negotiated a few years ago with the World Bank, having considered the needs and emergency for intervention in some works of this nature throughout the country. The project document at the time specified that 80 priority bridges (with a traffic flow of 100 to 2,500 vehicles per day) and culverts would require intervention within the next seven years.