Work has begun on the tunnel that will connect the new axis Kardhiq-Delvinë, where intensive work is being done for the completion of the whole segment within the next year.

Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku visited Monday the construction site of this important work. When finished, the Kardhiq-Delvine axis will create a shortcut between the main national arteries and the touristic destination of Saranda, promising to give a new impetus to tourism, economy and employment in the whole area. The southern town is expected to be accessible within a 3 hours drive from Tirana.

Speaking about the deadline for the works, Prime Minister Rama said that "it is fantastic that the tunnel will be opened next September or October."

While Minister Balluku informed that "we actually are at the entrance of the Skarfica tunnel, which is lot 7 in the segment of the road Kardhiq-Delvinë, 33 km distance".

"In this lot, the physical works have progressed by 80%. All other segments have various working progress. Lots 1, 2 and 3 are already completed. Lots 5 and 6, as well as 4, are 80% completed, while this is lot 7, ie the Kardhiqi tunnel that today, after the signing of the contract, will start working immediately. After the preparatory works, the company will continue later with the opening of the tunnel in the coming days ", said Balluku.

She also stressed that lot 8, which is the part that connects the whole segment to Saranda, is a completed lot where some interventions of escarpments, signage and other details are being made towards completion.

The Minister received guarantees from the representative of the contracting company "Gjoka" that the works will be completed within 50% of the deadline, so the finished work will be submitted for 12 months and not for 24 months. This, despite the coming winter and the caprices of the weather.

“This is a very important axis for us, since it connects the whole part of Gjirokastra region with the region of Vlora, especially Saranda, offering access to both mountain or cultural tourism that this area is famous for, as well as to the well established coastal tourism", said Balluku.

From a geological point of view, the Minister said that the project of the tunnel is not a concern, although experience has shown that tunnels often hide surprises, even when we have a solid geological study.

Meanwhile, for this lot of the road, for the first time a new technology has arrived from Turkey that enables reliable geophysical information up to 500-600 meters. "We have already completed up to 70% of the geophysical investigation and in a week we will have the results and then we will finalize the connection," said the company representative.