By Erlis Selimaj for Southeast European Times in Tirana
Albania has become a construction site. The Balkan country is making a major push to improve its road infrastructure, after decades of isolation and a long period of transition. The former communist regime left it with a poor road and highway system. In the 17 years since democracy was restored, the infrastructure still not has been brought up to European standards. With the country aspiring to join the EU, this has to change.
In all, Albania has roughly 18,000km of road, of which 3,636km are national roads. Over the last several years, the government has invested in national highways running east-west and north-south. According to Finance Minister Ridvan Bode, of the $800m earmarked for public investments next year, the majority will go towards improving roads.
