The Murriz Tunnel opened today to vehicle traffic after a challenging work from the start due to the problematic geology of the area through which it passes.

Long-awaited for all residents of Dibra, and not only, the Murrizit Tunnel, also known as the backbone of the Arbri road, consists of two tunnels, the main tunnel with a length of 3789 and the emergency tunnel with a length of 3781 meters, consisting of 11 entrances and exits.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, and Minister of Justice, Ulsi Manja, participated in the inauguration of this tunnel, which they initially covered part of on foot, and then continued the route by bus, while also seeing the work carried out, as well as the measures taken so that the tunnel can function in complete safety.

Minister Balluku said that tests have been conducted for the road and the tunnel has been fully completed according to all parameters. She described this investment as the pride of Albanian infrastructure, while announcing that the Maqellarë Peshkopi road will also be completed in April.

Balluku announced that the 3.8 km long Murriz Tunnel is fully completed in all its components and that everything is functional.

"According to the Road Code, every tunnel over 500 meters needs to have an emergency tunnel. The emergency tunnel here has 11 exits and everything is according to the parameters. There are no more traffic interruptions expected on this axis, as we have kept this section closed until the end, to work on every detail, starting from the difficult geology and the project, and everything is completed in the best possible way," said the minister.

She informed that this tunnel is armored in iron because otherwise it would not stand, reports ATSH, conveys KosovaPress.

"It is a work of art, since the tunnel is completely armored in iron, otherwise it would not stand. At this moment, we are not passing through a dug tunnel as is the case with Llogara, but we are passing through a tunnel, which is completely armored in iron like an iron ring," explained Balluku.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rama praised the extraordinary work and encouraged that infrastructural solutions be found for every other part of the road, so that it is as functional as possible.

The Murriz Tunnel also makes the entire Arbri road accessible, one of the most important national roads, which will mark economic growth for the area and the tourism sector.

Arbri Road, one of the most important arteries of road infrastructure in Albania, the completion of which will greatly facilitate the connection between Tirana and Dibra. This major project has included the construction of 54 kilometers of road with 10 kilometers of tunnels and 1.4 kilometers of bridges.

The Arbri Road will become an important East-West connecting corridor, with 7 tunnels with a total length of 8.5 km. This road will not only bring the citizens of Tirana and all of Albania closer to Dibra and North Macedonia, but will also be an artery of economic development and tourism.