New access road eases journey to the Airport

TIRANA, March 16 – Four months ahead of schedule, Tirana International Airport (TIA) opened the 6.5 kilometer long new access road that connects Tirana-Durres highway via Qafe Kashar overpass with the Airport. The road considerably eases the journey for passengers traveling between Tirana city center and the Airport at Rinas. The inauguration brings to a conclusion one of TIA’s main projects to modernize the Airport and its infrastructure. Albania’s Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, the Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications, Lulzim Basha, representatives of TIA and of the access road contractor, Triss Nd쳴im SHPK, were present when the ribbon was cut and the new access road was declared open to traffic. The new access road shortens the distance between the Airport and the center of Tirana by eight kilometers to 17 kilometers – the existing road, which leads via Vore, is 25 kilometers in length. The new, well-illuminated two-lane single carriageway thus cuts journey times and travel costs by as much as a third. It represents a development in road construction in Albania, as it includes three new bridges within a short distance, one over the River Tirana, one over the Tirana-Durr쳠railway line and one that spans the Tirana-Durr쳠highway.
Road construction, which was supervised by German company DIWI Consult International GmbH, was carried out in accordance with British standards. “Construction of the new access road was an important part of the overall project for the expansion and modernization of the Airport. TIA chose Triss Nd쳴im as the road constructor because of its relevant experience and level of expertise. I would like to thank the company and all its employees. Their hard work and dedication enabled this quality project to be completed four months ahead of schedule”, said TIA Chief Executive Officer, Constantin von Alvensleben. Triss Nd쳴im has now designed and implemented three projects for TIA: the seven kilometer-long new perimeter road, completed in November 2005, the new bridge on the existing road, completed in February 2006, and now, the new access road.