Entela Chapo
The Tirana-Vorë industrial road, once a key artery for trade and transport in the region, today looks more like a test of patience for citizens and businesses. With endless potholes, inadequate signage and limited access, this road axis not only harms the daily flow of traffic, but also stifles opportunities for economic growth in the area. For those who travel it every day, this route has become an endless journey of frustration.
Years of neglect have left the industrial road Tirana - Vorë, with potholes, as well as limited access for the surrounding businesses.
This continuous deterioration not only affects the flow of traffic, but also hinders the growth of businesses. Citizens who depend on the Tirana - Vorë road for daily movement, say for "Signal!" that the dilapidated condition of the infrastructure has become an ever-increasing concern.
Jorsena Brahimllari, who crosses this axis at least twice a day, from her apartment in Vorë to Tirana, told "Signal!" that every day, he spends at least two hours due to traffic in the area.
"Every day traffic in this area is inevitable, on rainy days everything is paralyzed. Two hours Tirana-Vorë (distance only 17 km) or vice versa, is too much", she says.
Burbuqe Gjoxhaj, works in one of the universities that happened in this area. She said about "Signal!" that every day the way to work is a challenge in itself, since at whatever hour she leaves her apartment, in most cases it is impossible to arrive on time.
She further states that if the condition of the road will continue to be like this, she may consider changing her job.
"I'm seriously considering changing jobs if the commute becomes unaffordable," she says.
Poor infrastructure
Potholes and cracks along the road have worsened over time, making it unsafe for drivers, especially those with small vehicles.
Many drivers use alternative, often longer routes to avoid this industrial road, which leads to traffic jams elsewhere in Tirana, mainly the Tirana-Durres highway, complicating the city's transportation challenges.
Expert Gëzim Hoxha told "Signal!" that the fruit and vegetable market is the one that brings a large load on this axis, also, according to him, the signage is not complete, causing difficulties in circulation.
"All the shops go to these points to be supplied, this then brings a big flow. Apart from these, there are other businesses, but especially the fruit and vegetable market is the one that brings a large load. The road is not maintained, there are many problems and the signage is not complete. This brings difficulties in the circulation of vehicles", said Hoxha.
In addition, this axis has limited vehicle entrances and exits along the road, where there are only three, one at the entrance to the beginning of the axis, near the Hygeia Hospital, one near the QTU and another at the Rinas overpass, which create hourly long queues of vehicles.
In order to solve this situation, the expert Hoxha suggests to make an organization related to the movement of funds of businesses and citizens.
"A different organization is needed, to be done with a certain schedule. The supply of stores must be done at night, if it is done at night, this great flow that we have falls during the day. Those who need the day circulate, but not those who supply. A classification of vehicles with utilization groups is needed. Not every car can be used as a means of transport. he said, while adding that accidents have occurred due to the low speed of traffic vehicles.
Impact on businesses
The biggest effects of the bad condition of the road are felt by the businesses operating around the route Tirana - Vorë. The area is home to many industrial and commercial businesses that require logistical and transportation access to the Tirana-Durres highway, one of Albania's most critical commercial routes.
However, the lack of direct entrances or exits to this key highway from the industrial road has often created concerns for these businesses. Trucks and service vehicles often face delays due to traffic or are forced to take alternative routes.
Contacted by "Signal!", the owners or most of the workers in these businesses, refused to give a statement on the situation and the problems they encounter on a daily basis, saying "we are not allowed to speak".
Nasibja, who works in an educational institution along the industrial road, told "Signal!" that she has noticed that many businesses adjacent to her workplace face difficulties due to access.
"In most cases, they experience delays of staff or products that need to be taken to a certain location", she said.
She says that she goes to work with her car, which due to the bad condition of the road, she is often forced to take it to the service or choose to use public transport.
Burbuqe Gjoxhaj affirmed such a problem, who said that some businesses that she is aware of have suffered losses, there have been delays in Services and a drop in clientele due to poor transport conditions.
The Tirana - Vorë industrial road as a complement to the Tirana - Durrës highway is essential for trade between the capital of Albania and the country's largest port city, but also other cities further afield.
According to the expert Gëzim Hoxha, the Municipality is responsible for the road, and it must take measures to ease traffic and create favorable conditions for vehicles.
"Only the municipality is responsible here. The municipality is the entity that owns the road, it owns the road and must plan. She has received the vote to manage the city. To allocate funds in order to serve the citizens. If we live in traffic, we are not satisfied at all. Maybe they can make new branches, but a solution must be found", he said.
Construction and Investments
The lack of maintenance and new investments has raised questions about institutional responsibilities and urban planning. In an attempt to clarify the situation, "Signalize!" addressed to the Albanian Road Authority (ARRSH) with a request for information on the history and current status of this road.
According to ARRSH, this road was built in 2006. From the provided documentation, it is known that the construction cost for the "Tirana-Vorë superstrada parallel road, Lot 1 (right wing)" was ALL 66,740,698. Meanwhile, the construction of Lot 2 (right wing, K.Lidhur) cost 78,221,928 ALL.
In their answer it is also stated that with a decision of the Council of Ministers in 2020, the ownership of this road has passed to the Municipality of Tirana, no longer being part of the jurisdiction of the ARRSH.
Asked about investments in the maintenance or improvement of the road infrastructure in these two axes, the Municipality of Tirana affirmed that it has foreseen in its medium-term budget 2024-2026, the project with the object "Reconstruction of the secondary road Tirana - Durrës (Hygea - Megatek)", but this project is still in its drafting phase.
Faced with an infrastructural crisis that has lasted for years, the secondary road Tirana - Vorë remains a tangible obstacle for businesses and the quality of life of residents and employees. While institutions remain silent and responsibilities shift from one party to another, it is citizens and businesses who suffer the consequences of prolonged neglect.
