Corridor VIII in Albania - Ministero delle infrastrutture e dei trasporti

177 Pages·2015·20.94 MB·English

Corridor VIII Secretariat

Corridor VIII as a backbone of the SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport system

Participating Countries
Italy, Albania, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey

Funding:
Ministry of Economic Development of Italy
Central European Initiative

General Coordination:
Corridor VIII Secretariat
website: www.corridor8.org

Technical Coordination:
ANAS S.p.A.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The present Study has been carried out by a Multinational Working Group composed of high level technical
Representatives nominated by the Ministries and Road National Agencies of the participating Member
Countries: Italy, Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey, under the general
coordination of Mr. Michele Grimaldi (Corridor VIII Secretariat), the technical supervision of Mr Gianni Nobili
(ANAS S.p.A - Italy) and the general supervision of Mr Roberto Ferrazza (Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and
Transport).

The study has been financed by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, through FdL Servizi, in the
framework of the Law 84/2001 for cooperation in the Balkans, co-financed by participating Countries and by
the Central European Initiative.

The following Ministries and Institutions of the Member Countries hosted the meetings or provided logistic
support for the field work: Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Albanian Ministry of Public Works
Transport and Telecommunication, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Ministry of Transport and
Communications, Bulgarian Ministry of Transport, Fiera del Levante and FdL Servizi (Italy). The Italian Customs
Agency provided updated information about ongoing projects on cross-border custom procedures.

The Italian Embassies in Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria provided an
important support for the successful development of the Study.

The members of the Corridor VIII Motorways Working Group are listed in the table on page 17

2
Corridor VIII Secretariat
Corridor VIII as a backbone of the SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport system

FOREWORDS
Minister of Infrastructure and Transport
Italy

The Report that I have the pleasure to present contains the result of an extended analysis and assessment of
the technical characteristics of the over 900 km of road and motorway infrastructures which constitute, across
the West Balkans, the alignment of Corridor VIII.

It has been possible to bring this work to a successful conclusion thanks to the efforts of the high-level working
group that brought together representatives of the Ministries of Transport of Italy, Albania, former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey, that have met for almost two years under the general
supervision of this Ministry.
The technical coordination and the homogeneous elaboration of data has been granted, throughout all the
different phases of the study, by the International Division of ANAS, the Italian National Agency for roads,
which is also responsible for the elaboration of the project fiches which are probably the most original
contribution offered by this report to the identification of national and regional priorities in the development of
road infrastructures.
Finally, this study would have not been possible without the invaluable promotion and general coordination
activity of the Corridor VIII Secretariat, financially supported by Italy, through Law 84/2001 and by Central
European Initiative (CEI).

As we proceed in the direction of the European Union enlargement, we are convinced that a new
neighbouring policy must aim for greater economic integration through an ambitious neighbouring
partnership. Such integration requires a more effective transport market. This Report marks a new phase
towards reaching a regional integrated market for road transport in the interested region. Thanks to the
concreteness of the analysis that points out in detail criticalities along cross-border areas, bottlenecks and
requested upgrading of existing alignment, the study opens new opportunities for specific projects identified in
coherence with national programmes.

The effort made in analysing and bringing together the planned investments underlined by the master plan
of each single Member State, is a pre-requisite for the credibility of the conclusions contained in this report,
where the ambition is to contribute in identifying short and middle-term interventions, which best may serve
the purpose of integrating Corridor VIII road infrastructures in the South East Europe Regional core network, as
well as in the South East Europe transnational axes, thus making Corridor VIII road system more competitive
for regional and international freight traffic operators.
Finally, one of the interesting findings that stand out clearly from this Report is that the amount of investments
required is significantly lower than other transport modes and attractiveness along the Corridor can be
effectively implemented in a shorter span of time.
I am confident that national Governments of Corridor VIII Countries will look with interest to this Report and will
continue in guaranteeing the necessary level of attention and support to this multilateral cooperation in the
field of transport in our neighbouring Countries.

Altero Matteoli

3
Corridor VIII Secretariat
Corridor VIII as a backbone of the SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport system

Minister of Public Works, Transports and Communications
Albania

Dear Colleague,

May I convey to you my congratulations and thanks as well as to the staff that made possible the completion
of the studies on Corridor VIII roads and ports.

This is a prove of the commitment of the Italian Government in the realization of this project that has now
gained new values even greater in comparison with the initial variant. This is because of the fact that with the
adherence of Bulgaria in the European Union, it is transformed in an internal artery of the EU area.
Moreover, the countries it crosses along are close to the adherence in another Euro-Atlantic structure such as
NATO and the establishment of an adequate multimodal infrastructure would serve to the accomplishment of
its mission in the region at a higher level. In addition, the study clearly identifies the socio-economic benefit
that the countries this Corridor links will have from its realization.

Albania has made efforts to accomplish its obligations in this major project and we can confirm that important
steps have been undertaken in roads, airports and ports so that they can face successfully the traffic raise in
the itinerary of this Corridor, especially in the traffic with the EU countries, Bulgaria, Greece and Italy.
It has also tried to participate actively and give its contribution in different bilateral and multilateral forums that
serve to promote the works in Corridor VIII axis.

Greeting once again the accomplishment of these two studies that make an important basis also for the
application at financial institutions, please accept dear Collague, the assurances of my highest consideration

Sincerely yours,

Sokol Olldashi

4
Corridor VIII Secretariat
Corridor VIII as a backbone of the SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport system

Minister of Transport and Communications
former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Dear colleague,

Allow me to present you my compliments and at the same time to express my gratitude for the overall activity
related to promoting and developing the projects of Corridor VIII, recognized in the High Level Final Report.

Furthermore, I would like to stress my compliments addressed to the Study “Corridor VIII as a backbone of the
SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport System” and at the same time to
support the Technical Secretariat of the Corridor VIII for their contribution regarding the development of
transport projects along Corridor VIII.

Looking forward to a future good co-operation the Ministry of Transport and Communications avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to the Ministry of the Transport and Communications of Italy the assurances of its highest
consideration.

Yours Sincerely,

Mile Janakieski

5
Corridor VIII Secretariat
Corridor VIII as a backbone of the SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport system

Minister of Transport
Bulgaria

Dear Colleague,

First of all let me present you my compliments and at the same time to express my gratitude for the overall
activity related to the development and promotion of Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII as an important
element of the European transport network.

In the report of the High Level Group, chaired by Loyola de Palacio, from November 2005 the multimodal
connection Bari/Brindisi – Duras/Vlyora – Tirana – Skopje – Sofia – Burgas/Varna (i.e. Corridor VIII) is defined as
part of the South-Eastern priority axis of the extension of the Trans-European Transport Network. This is a key
corridor for the major transport network in the Balkans.

This transportation route continues not only to facilitate the exchange of goods, people and energy supplies
between the European Union, the Balkan states and the Central Asian states, but it is significant due to its
important role in strengthening the links between the Balkan countries and improving the stability in the region.
Furthermore the corridor has new significance as an element linking the European and the Asian transport
systems through the TRACECA project.

The development of the transport corridors crossing Bulgaria is a main priority of our transport policy. During the
official meeting held in December 2008 in Tirana between the Bulgarian and the Albanian presidents Mr
Georgi Parvanov reconfirmed out strong interest in the development of Corridor VIII.
Corridor VIII is inevitably amongst the main priorities of our policy. The Operational Programme on Transport
2007-2013, one of the strategic documents of the Ministry approved by the European Commission, outlines the
main priority projects along the Pan-European Transport Corridors. Our mutual work proves in practice the
significant importance of the development of Corridor VIII.

I would like to express my full support to the study on the Road System of Corridor VIII, entitled “Corridor VIII as
a backbone of the South-Eastern European Region: technical assessment of the Infrastructure and Transport
System”. We recognize the study as a considerable feat, achieved through the collaboration of national
experts under the coordination and with the invaluable support of the Secretariat of Corridor VIII. I am
convinced that it will make significant contribution for launching and financing important infrastructure
projects as well as for the overall development of the entire Corridor VIII.

I am looking forward to our future fruitful cooperation.

Sincerely,

Peter Mutafchiev

6
Corridor VIII Secretariat
Corridor VIII as a backbone of the SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport system

Minister of Transport
Turkey

Dear Minister,

i am very pleased to see the conclusion of the Study on Road Corridor VIII, namely “Corridor VIII as a
backbone of the South-Eastern European Region: Technical Assessment of the Road Infrastructure and
Transport System”.

As is known, there have been strong historical and cultural links between the Balkans and Turkey which
constitute a long-standing cooperation platform in our region. In this context, Turkey attaches great
importance to the development of the transport infrastructure in South-East Europe, particularly through Pan-
European Transport Corridor VIII.

The present Road Report, prepared by a working group of experts from the National Ministries of Transport and
road transport authorities of the concerned countries, would definitely make an essential contribution for
providing an updated assessment of the present situation of the road system, defining urgent issues and short-
term priority projects along the alignment of Corridor VIII.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation and support for the present and previous successful studies on
transport infrastructure on the Corridor. I also avail myself of this opportunity to renew you the assurances of my
highest consideration and personal regards.

Sincerely,

Binali Yildirim

7
Corridor VIII Secretariat
Corridor VIII as a backbone of the SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport system

President of Puglia Region
Italy

An integrated European transport network, actually bound to overcome national borders and standardize
infrastructural differences, was a clear sign of the European Governments' insight in pursuing common interests.
In keeping with that duty, this Road Study on Corridor VIII, beyond its acknowledged technical significance, is
pushing us to an urgent task: the common effort of Government experts of Albania, former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey and Italy goes along the same path established with the 1992 Maastricht Treaty
as well as the 1997 Amsterdam Agreement, which constitute the official foundation for completing road,
railway, air and port networks.

However, despite Corridor VIII is often referred to as a “project” or even a “venture”, it is quite clear from this
study that an uninterrupted road infrastructure from the Adriatic to the Black Sea already exists, needing just our
attention in order to be improved and modernized. Most of the times “non physical barriers” (i.e. borders,
customs and patrols) - being hindering the integration process more than obsolete infrastructures or
inadequate motorways.

As regards Puglia and its Regional institutions, its leading role as a natural counterpart for the Balkan people is
paying spectacular dividends: thanks to Corridor VIII and its Apulian headquarters the Mediterranean basin
can increase its potential as a modern market area instead of an imaginary border.

Qualified experts are here clearly stating that the development of Road Corridor VIII has a positive impact on
three levels: 1st as a national route for each of the crossed Countries, 2nd as a connection between those
Countries of the Balkan Region, and 3rd as a transnational route, linking the Mediterranean/Adriatic Transport
Area to the Black Sea Transport Area. Thus, from West to East connecting the EU TEN networks (Italy) and the
Motorways of the Sea to the EU TEN networks (Bulgaria) and Traceca Corridor.

This study, promoted and coordinated by Corridor VIII Secretariat through Fiera del Levante Servizi with the
technical coordination of ANAS, the Italian National Road Agency, will render an essential backing for the
Balkan cohesion process. This is a task that deserves a deeper attention from Brussels authorities within the
implementation of the European Union. Corridor VIII is above all a necessary transport axis, and its realization
will significantly increase economical as well as cultural exchanges among our Countries.

Nichi Vendola

8
Corridor VIII Secretariat
Corridor VIII as a backbone of the SEE Region: Technical assessment of the road infrastructure and transport system

Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
Head of Department of Infrastructure
Italy

It is for me a reason of satisfaction to introduce the present report on the road and motorway infrastructures of
Corridor VIII, which, in the interpretation given by its authors , is considered as the “backbone of the South-
Eastern European Region”

Along with the study on the railway infrastructure, published in 2007, and the one on ports and maritime
transport, this study is part of a “trilogy” dedicated to the transport infrastructure on Corridor VIII.

As for the other studies, this report as been developed by a Multinational Working Group, composed of the
representatives of the Ministries and National Road Agencies of Italy, Albania, former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Bulgaria and Turkey, under the general coordination of the Corridor VIII Secretariat, the technical
coordination of ANAS, the Italian National Road Agency, and the supervision of the Italian Ministry of
Infrastructure and Transport.

The direct involvement in the study of the public transport Administrations of the Corridor VIII Countries is a
guarantee of the accuracy in the analysis and of the soundness of the proposals.
One of the unprecedented conclusion which is highlighted by this report is that, unlike other transport modes,
the road and motorway alignment of Corridor VIII is already a reality.

Furthermore, the amount of investments necessary to increase the attractiveness of the road network
underpinned to the Corridor VIII route, is significantly lower than other transport sectors and can be effectively
implemented in a relatively short period of time.

The development of a fully efficient road network along Corridor VIII will have a positive impact on the
development of the South East Europe core transport network, both as a new regional route inside e Balkan
Region and as a transnational axis, connecting the Mediterranean Sea, to the Black Sea and to the Caspian
region.

The present report offers, also, a contribution in terms of identifying a list of priorities projects, which are
included in the national transport development programme of each Country, and could also enter in the
short-list of projects to be submitted to the international financial institutions, to receive financial support.
In conclusion, I would like to underline the strong commitment of Corridor VIII Member States’ representatives
in the preparation of this report, who gave a valuable support in providing all the necessary information.
Special thanks to ANAS S.p.A, for the general survey of road infrastructure and for the synthesis of the
documents concerning national development plans.

In consideration of such a fruitful cooperation, I am confident that programs and priorities established here will
find positive feedbacks at national and European levels, in the perspective of implementing a more efficient
transport networks throughout the European Union and neighbouring Countries.

Domenico Crocco

9