The works for the construction of the Tirana-Durrës railway line started a few days ago in the field where the project implementing company has started with the removal of the old rails and depreciated beams. 

The signage of the works and the care that the citizens should show has been placed in the field. The start of these works comes after the approval of the decision that gave the construction permit that passed to the National Council of the Territory on October 21. 

This decision provided for the issuance of "Infrastructure Construction Permit for the facility:" Construction of the Railway Line Durrës - Tirana and the new railway line to Rinas International Airport ", with the developing entity" Albanian Railways "sh.a. 

The project for the construction of the railway will be implemented by the Italian company INC spa which was announced the winner a year ago with a bid of EUR 69.7 million. 

The line that will be rehabilitated as part of the Project starts on the platform of the Durrës Terminal station and ends near the former Train Station in Tirana with a total length of over 35km. 

Initially, the project was expected to end at the public transport terminal in Tirana (where the bus terminal is today). But, due to the loss of passengers with the departure of the train station, it was decided to extend a few more kilometers of railway, so that only the passenger terminal is close to the former old train station, about 200 meters from today's parking lot. 

The project will modernize the Tirana-Durrës line and provide an important new line for both cities at Tirana International Airport. It is expected that following the rehabilitation of the railway by the Project, and the addition of new trains, a speed of at least 100 km / h can be achieved, although the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy has stated that Tirana-Rinas will be traversed in 12 minutes, while Tirana-Durrës for 22 minutes, at a speed of 160 km / h. 

The Tirana-Durrës railway rehabilitation project and the construction of a new extension in Rinas are part of the Connectivity Agenda, which aims to connect the region and beyond with Europe, and within the framework of the Berlin Initiative, eligible projects can attract grants and donor funding.

(Source: Monitor)