Two segments of Tirana’s big ring road approved

TIRANA, Nov. 15 – The Territory Adjustment Council of the Republic of Albania (TACRA), headed by Prime Minister Sali Berisha approved last Monday the construction of two important road segments part of Tirana big ring road and a hub to the under construction Arbri road linking Albania to Macedonia.
The first segment, that of “Babrru-Bregu i Lumit- Kthesa e Kamzes,” worth 115 million euros, will be a 6.5 km long 8-lane road which will also have special public transport and emergency lanes and space for a possible tram route.
Prime Minister Berisha said the major project gives a very good solution to traffic in Tirana and especially traffic that would be caused by the Arbri road.
The second segment approved as part of the outer ring road was that of “Komuna e Parisit street – the new Tirana- Elbasan road.” This segment which is conceived to be built in several sections will be a six-lane road with three roundabouts, several flyovers and underpasses.
Calling on the Transport Ministry to make a total re-examination of the project, PM Berisha said the big ring road project must be completed as soon as possible to prevent possible demolition of buildings.
“The citizens must know where the ring road passes through and that every construction on it is inexistent,” explained Berisha.
The Tirana Big Ring Road is being developed by the Municipality of Tirana to provide a by-pass route between the North and the South accesses to Tirana by 2020, thus avoiding congested streets in the city centre. The Municipality of Tirana says is seeking EBRD’s involvement in the Project. In addition to Albanian regulations, the Project complies with requirements contained in EBRD’s 2003 Environmental Policy. The Project was categorised as “A”, requiring a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and associated public consultation. A resettlement Action Plan (RAP) has also been prepared by the Municipality of Tirana.
The Tirana Outer Ring Road is a major component of the 1989 urban master plan for Tirana, which is still current. This master plan establishes proposals for the construction of inner, middle and outer ring roads. In the last two decades, these roads have been only partly built.
In September 2008, the Bernard Group was contracted by the Tirana Municipality, with
EBRD support, to carry out a traffic study and model, a full ESIA and furthermore to assist local planners to improve the road design.