Highways in Albania

[1] The A1 is the country's longest and only toll highway connecting the port city of Durrës on the Adriatic Sea in the west as well as the capital of Tirana in the center, with the Republic of Kosovo in the northeast.

The country's roads, however, were generally narrow, poorly marked, pocked with holes, and in the early 1990s often crowded with pedestrians and people riding mules, bicycles, and horse-drawn carts.

Most rural segments continue to remain in bad conditions as their reconstruction only began in the late 2000s by the Albanian Development Fund.

A new road system has been introduced in the early 2000s and is classified as follows:[10] The motorways in Albania are defined by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

[15][16] This involved the construction of new roadways, planting of trees and related greening projects, and lately the installing of contemporary signs.

Another major priority was the completion of the Arbër Highway (Rruga e Arbërit), connecting Tirana with the city of Debar in the Republic of North Macedonia through the current National Road 6.

Eventually, this Superstradë will become part of the Pan-European Corridor VIII, linking Albania with the Republic of North Macedonia and Greece.

The completion of the Eastern Ring of Albania Unaza Lindore passing through Valbonë, Kukës, Krumë, Bulqizë and Librazhd has also been a priority.

In recent years, winter maintenance has greatly improved in all major roadways of the country including the A1 toll motorway.

Despite considerable investments, some dual carriageways are partially up to either motorway or state road standards as they are badly configured, contain unfinished overpasses, uncontrolled access points, lack of fencing, and either misplaced or missing road signs, inadequate entry and exit ramps, and are indiscriminately used by animals, mopeds, agricultural vehicles, and pedestrians.

In March 2018, violent clashes took place at the A1 motorway toll plaza in Kalimash, Northern Albania as locals demanded lower fees on an unfinished project, and lacked the availability of a secondary road.

The Rama 2 Government plans to standardize road projects and continue those left unfinished from previous years: Despite the perceived negative connotation to driving in Albania, most vehicles manage not to get into accidents by simply exercising common sense and following their way through the traffic.

Albanian drivers are prone to using visual and acoustic aids regularly such as honking, headlight flashing, or high beams at night.