The Tirana bypass carries significant strategic dimension, providing a missing link to key local, regional and European road infrastructure in the Western Balkans.
Being part of the Adriatic-Ionian Highway, also referred to as the Blue Highway, the bypass complements the investments which will create a seamless route from Trieste in Italy to Greece, while branching out to Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania. With a total length of approximately 315 kilometers, the Albanian section of the Blue Highway will play a vital role in boosting regional trade, export activity and tourism.
Located in the central, most populated part of Albania (with 1/3 of the country’s population living in it) and the area considered the backbone of the country’s road network, the bypass will facilitate connection between Tirana – Durres and Tirana – Elbasan motorways. It is also expected to channel traffic away from the capital, reducing traffic congestion, pollution and road accidents.
The Tirana bypass stretches for a length of 21 kilometers, from Kashar at the north, through Vaqarr in the south, up to Farke to the east. Following the decision of the Albanian authorities to develop the Kashar – Vaqarr section as a standalone project, the existing documentation for the Tirana bypass needs to be adjusted to align with the scope of the Vaqarr – Farke section in order to secure investment and facilitate procurement for the construction of the said southern part.
The objective of CONNECTA 2’s technical assistance is to provide analyses and recommendations, including
- Detail Design documents
- Revised Bill of Quantities
- Revised Tender documents
- Updated Cost Benefit Analysis
These are needed for the IFI’s (the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank) approval of the Tirana bypass: South section (Vaqarr – Farke) project.
To mark the start of CONNECTA 2 sub-project ‘Study on Tirana bypass, south section from Vaqarr to Farke’, a kick-off meeting was held on 25 April 2025. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Albania, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania, the Albanian Road Authority, the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination, the EBRD, the EIB and the CONNECTA 2 team.
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Additional information on the assignment can be obtained by contacting Chris Germanacos, CONNECTA 2 Team Leader, at chris.germanacos@connecta-ta.eu.
