EBRD grants another 30 million euro for the Durres-Rogozina railway link in Albania

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide an additional loan of 30 million euro for the project to modernize the railway line between the Albanian cities of Durres (Drach) and Rogozina. The new funding comes as part of efforts to accelerate the construction of important infrastructure along Corridor VIII, which connects the Western Balkans with the Black Sea region. BalkanEngineer.com learned about the funding from official information published by Albanian Daily News.

The project envisages the reconstruction, electrification, and modernization of the 34-kilometer section between the two towns, which is currently in operation but has an outdated track and insufficient technical equipment. Once the activities have been completed, the railway line will allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h, with a new track, signaling, power supply, and compatibility with European safety and traffic management standards.

With the additional funds granted, the total budget of the project reaches 120.5 million euro, which already includes previous loans from the EBRD, funds from the European Investment Bank (EIB), and grant aid from the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) mechanism. The aim is to create a sustainable, intermodal transport link that will improve logistical access to one of the most important ports on the Adriatic Sea – the port of Durres.

According to information from the EBRD, construction work will begin within the next year, following the completion of commercial procedures and technical preparations. The investment will contribute both to accelerating economic connectivity in the region and to reducing emissions from the transport sector by shifting part of passenger and freight traffic from roads to railways. In addition to its domestic economic impact, the project also has regional significance as part of the connection between Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.

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