First 10 km of Levan-Vlore hifgway asphalted

TIRANA, July 6 – The first 10 kilometers of the Levan-Vlore highway linking the city of Fier to the southern coastal city of Vlora have already been asphalted, Transport Minister Sokol Olldashi announced on Tuesday during an inspection.
Olldashi said the contracted company had overcome problems and is making considerable progress on the project.
The ministry said the company changed its sub-contractors and lead staff to finish the project’s most critical parts such as the Vjosa and Feras bridges,
The complete works are expected to finish in summer 2011.
The project involves construction of a new 24.2 km road with 4-lanes from Levan to Vlore crossing the River Vjosa valley and along the edge of the Narta Lagoon
The road is part of the North-South Road Corridor of Albania and Trans European Corridor VIII, with the Port of Vlor롢eing one of the entry points of the Corridor.
Constriction works are co-financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Government of Albania.
The new road is expected to improve capacity, traffic safety and travel times on this major north-south road axis. The project is also important for the economic development of the coastal area.