The Llogara Tunnel has officially reopened to vehicle traffic today, a move set to significantly ease travel to the Albanian Riviera. The reopening was announced yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, who confirmed via social media that vehicles would be permitted to pass through the tunnel starting at 9:00 AM this morning.
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| Llogara Tunnel |
The Llogara Tunnel first opened on July 5th of last year to alleviate traffic during the peak tourist season. It was then temporarily closed on November 5th to allow for the completion of additional finishing touches and detailed works within the tunnel.
Construction on the ambitious project began on November 15, 2021, following a concessionary tender won by a consortium of two Turkish companies. The concession contract spans 35 years, representing an investment of 17 billion Albanian Lek (approximately €165 million).
Designed for efficiency and safety, the tunnel has a permitted speed limit of 50-80 km/h, and during the tourist season, it's expected to handle a daily volume of up to 10,000 vehicles. The Llogara Tunnel stretches for 6 km, drastically cutting the travel time to the south of the country by approximately 45 minutes.
It forms a crucial part of the Orikum - Himarë road section, which is itself an integral part of the Vlora – Saranda Highway. The tunnel begins at Shën Eliza Bridge and exits at Palasa Bridge, completely bypassing the challenging Llogara Pass. This means the journey from Dukat to Palasa, which previously took around 30 minutes, will now be reduced to a mere 7 minutes.
The main tunnel tube is concrete-lined and equipped with sophisticated systems for drainage, ventilation, fire and smoke protection, lighting, emergency calls, and signage. This infrastructure not only slashes travel time but also significantly enhances road safety parameters for all travelers heading south.