Following the
end of communism in 1991, the
highways in the country began to be modernized with the construction of the
National Road 2, connecting the country's capital of
Tirana with the country's second-largest city of
Durrës. Since 2000, main roadways have drastically improved, though lacking standards in design and road safety. This involved the construction of new roadways, planting of trees and related greening projects, and lately the installing of contemporary signs. However, some state roads continue to deteriorate from lack of maintenance while others remain unfinished. The priority of the
first Rama government in 2014 was the completion of unfinished roadways, due to lack of funding. Another major priority was the completion of the
Arbër Highway (), connecting
Tirana with the city of
Debar in the
Republic of North Macedonia through the current National Road 6. Eventually, this will become part of the
Pan-European Corridor VIII, linking Albania with the
Republic of North Macedonia and
Greece. Another important objectives include, the completion of the problematic
Tirana-Elbasan Highway part of the
A3, the launching of toll highways starting with A1, and the construction of the Southern Axis of Albania , passing across central and southern Albania. The completion of the Eastern Ring of Albania passing through
Valbonë,
Kukës,
Krumë,
Bulqizë and
Librazhd has also been a priority. When all corridors are completed, Albania will have an estimated 759 kilometers of highway linking it with its neighbors.
Winter maintenance Winter 2021-22 marked the first time that main roadways in the Albanian Alps have been open for traffic after a snowfall. Therefore, the many guesthouses of the area now are accessible in the winter as well. This came as a result of using advanced snow-clearing equipment by local authorities and contractors. In recent years, winter maintenance has greatly improved in all major roadways of the country including the A1 toll motorway.
Controversies Despite considerable investments, some dual carriageways are partially up to either motorway or state road standards as they are badly configured, contain unfinished
overpasses, uncontrolled access points, lack of fencing, and either misplaced or missing road signs, inadequate entry and exit
ramps, and are indiscriminately used by animals, mopeds, agricultural vehicles, and pedestrians. These are mostly due to alleged corruption and lack of or low-quality projects and feasibility studies. It is believed that the above structural problems can be eliminated by transforming some highways to
toll highway, like the A1 toll motorway in Northern Albania which has brought it to acceptable motorway standards. Works on most highways are mostly completed, though they remained unfinished between 2011 and 2013 due to lack of funds. In March 2018, violent clashes took place at the A1 motorway toll plaza in Kalimash, Northern Albania as locals demanded lower fees on an unfinished project, and lacked the availability of a secondary road. Below is a list of main roadways undergoing construction work in the last decade. The Rama 2 Government plans to standardize road projects and continue those left unfinished from previous years:
As of Summer 2024 Planned • Muriqan – Balldren – Lezhë – Milot:
Autostradë, part of the Blue Corridor or
Adriatic-Ionian motorway • Rrogozhine – Fier:
Autostradë part of the Blue Corridor or
Adriatic-Ionian motorway • Perlat – Kurbnesh – Fushe Lure near
Lure National Park •
Velipojë –
Ulcinj (
MNE) • Tiranë Bypass (Motorway) • Elbasan Bypass part of Corridor VII
Underway • Labinot Fushë – Librazhd: Part of European Corridor VIII • Tirana – Durrës: Expanding to 3 lanes in each direction, plus emergency lane •
Rrogozhinë -
Elbasan: Autostradë Part of Corridor VIII
Completed • Tirana – Elbasan:
Autostradë • Fier Bypass:
Autostradë • Milot – Rrëshen – Kalimash – Kukës – Morinë:
Autostradë, part of ''European Core Road Network's'' Route 7 • Tepelenë Bypass • Lin –
Pogradec:
Superstradë •
Korçë – Qafë Plloçë:
Superstradë (29 km) • Milot Trumpet Interchange, part of
Albania-Kosovo Highway • Tirana Southwestern and Southeastern Outer Ring:
Autostradë • Rrogozhinë Bypass • Durrës Bypass (Shkozet) •
Levan (Fier) –
Vlorë:
Autostradë, part of
European Corridor 8. (24.20 km) • Shkodër – Han i Hotit
MNE, part of the ''European Core Road Network's'' Route 2 •
Lezhë – Milot: Resurfacing, part of the ''European Core Road Network's'' Route 2 •
Levan (Fier) –
Tepelenë:
Superstradë (70 km), part of the ''European Core Road Network's'' Route 2 •
Durrës –
Rrogozhinë:
Autostradë (35 km), part of
European Corridor 8. •
Tepelenë –
Gjirokastër:
Superstradë, part of the ''European Core Road Network's'' Route 2 •
Lushnjë –
Fier:
Autostradë, part of European Corridor 8 (21.70 km) •
Himarë –
Sarandë:
Superstradë • Han i Hotit – Tamarë – Vermosh – Dogana
MNE • Koplik – Dedaj – Bogë:
Rrugë • Fierzë – Bajram Curri • Bajram Curri – Tropojë:
Superstradë • K22 Valbonë – Dragobi – Bajram Curri • Fushë Krujë –
Krujë:
Superstradë • Dedaj – Razëm:
Rrugë • SH71 just south of
Elbasan – E86 at
Libonik • Lushnjë – Berat •
Sarandë –
Butrint:
Superstradë •
Sarandë –
Qafë Botë GR:
Superstradë •
Bajram Curri –
Margegaj:
Superstradë • Bogë – Theth • Shkodër – Velipojë • Tirana Eastern Ring • Shkodër Bypass • SH83 Kardhiq – Delvinë • SH76, SH77 Vlorë River Highway:
Vlorë –
Kuç –
Qeparo • Vlorë Bypass • Palasë – Dhermi • Crossing of TEG • Orikum – Dukat (Links with Llogara Tunnel) • Thumanë – Kashar:
Autostradë part of the Blue Corridor or
Adriatic-Ionian motorway • Llogara Tunnel • Ura e Drinit i ri (Kukës) • Korçë – Ersekë • Tirana Northern Outer Ring •
Arbër Highway:
Tirana -
Bulqizë,
Shupenzë -
Maqellare -
Peshkopi:
Superstradë • Shëngjin – Velipojë • Qukës – Qafë Plloçë:
Superstradë • Most coastal roads • Other rural segments == See also ==