Works on the first segment of the Tirana-Durres Highway have brought significant changes to traffic, causing a significant portion of traffic to be concentrated near the Rinas junction, where the road narrows and the number of lanes is reduced.
To alleviate the situation and improve vehicle movement, the Albanian Road Authority has planned a new infrastructural intervention in the area. The Director of the ARRSH, Ami Kozeli, announced that one of the main obstacles to the expansion of the axis was a gas station located near the junction of the road that leads to Rinas airport.
According to him, the expropriation procedure has already been approved and the building will be removed, creating the opportunity to widen the road and improve traffic at one of the most problematic points on the axis.
“Removing this facility will allow us to open up more space for vehicle movement and reduce the load that is created, especially for drivers traveling to the airport,” explained Kozeli.
The head of the ARA also raised concerns about the incorrect use of the emergency lane by drivers, emphasizing that this behavior significantly worsens the traffic situation.
He called on citizens to respect traffic rules, warning that the Traffic Police will intervene with punitive measures against violators.
“In many cases, the emergency lane is blocked by vehicles, which creates additional difficulties in an area where traffic is already narrowed due to the reduction of lanes. This is a practice that should be avoided and will be monitored by the police,” he said.
Meanwhile, after the end of the tourist season, authorities plan to launch another important project on this axis. The current Rinas overpass will be demolished and a new modern structure about 94 meters long will be built in its place.
To minimize the impact on traffic during the development of the works, the ARA has foreseen the diversion of traffic through the Kashari junction, aiming for the movement of vehicles to continue with as few obstacles as possible until the completion of the project.