“Patriotic Highway” close to completion

Tirana, March 03 – The biggest infrastructure work in the country is close to completion. According to the latest news from the Ministry of Transports, with the construction of the Rreshen-Kalimash tunnel, part of the Durres-Kukes Highway, about 86% of the project has been finalized. Also, works for the remaining 14% of the highway are going according to deadlines.
The tunnels, a total of 12 km, will be furnished with electro-mechanic accessories that will guarantee the highest security standards for tunnels. These accessories monitor temperature, humidity, and the existence of gazes or other dangerous products inside the tunnel.
Rreshen-Kalimash segment is part of the Durres-Kukes highway that connects the Adriatic Coast with Kosovo and the rest of the region. The construction of the highway has been advertise as an important investment for the economic development of Albania because it will connect South-East European markets with the major international sea routes by the way of the Durres Port in the Adriatic. In addition, the construction of the highway its future existence is thought to help the economic development of the North-East regions of Albania, by attracting offering access to entrepreneurs and tourists in the isolated mountain areas.
The progress of the highway has been impressive with more than 3500 workers employed in different segments and with over 1300 different machines used. However, the construction of the biggest public work in the country has been shadowed by polemics and accusation involving corruption regarding contract winners and unjustifiable high costs.
Kosovo is expected to start construction of its part of the highway, Kukes-Prishtina, within 2009.