Tirana-Elbasan finalized in November 2012
23/01/2012 08:00
The Washington Agreement Must Be Reactivated! 06/01 19:04
The Kerraba tunnel will be finished by November 2012, coinciding with
the 100th year of independence. The Tirana-Elbasan highway, the second
major infrastructure work after the Durers-Kukes highway, is going on
with a fast pace, by even surpassing the agreement provisions.
Greek Company “Actor” has advanced with 41% of the 4.9 km long tunnel, for which the Albanian government is spending 85 million EUR. Skender Cota, General vice Director of Roads gave for Shqip Newspaper with the project details, where there are also novelties for an effective management.
“The tunnel has European standards and we are trying to add other elements, such as phosphorescent paint, for saving electricity, and operational cost reduction. The Greek Company has been financed for all works, which mounts up to 25 million USD so far, including the VAT payments”, declared the second person in charge of the road infrastructure.
Cota says that the tunnel’s length has slightly changed.
“Each tube is prolonged with 250 meters, which increases the cost with no more than 2%, but that will improve the length profile in the entrance by reducing it to 6.86%. This modification has reduced the first segment cost with 10 million USD”, Cota declared.
The tunnel has become 4.9 KM, from 4.5 that it was previously, by increasing the cost with 2%m, but not the level of investment, since there has been an intervention at the segment before the tunnel by reducing the bridge’s height, which compensated the additional expenses.
“Although the tunnel’s length has increased with 10%, the constructions will end on November 2012”, declared the vice director of roads.
The cost
The works in general have been finalized to 28%. The highway has three segments, with the tunnel in the middle. The other two parts are in the tendering phase, the agreements for which will be announced on February.
The two segments will be built with the Islamic Banks funds, which manage the tender conditions. The project cost could have a reduction of 127 million USD.
“The publicity and the importance given to this project by the government have brought many companies that showed their interest for this investment, by increasing competition. From 400 million USD that was the initial project value, we think that we can conclude it with 280 million USD”, declared the high official of Roads, by adding that the cost reduction will not reduce the work quality.
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