Officially opened in 2010, it is a vital corridor for commerce, linking the Adriatic port city of Durrës with the northeastern town of Kukës and the border with Kosovo.

However, the project was also controversial due to its high cost, complex engineering challenges—particularly the construction of tunnels and bridges through mountainous terrain—and allegations of corruption.

It is part of the Pan-European Corridor VIII, and assists international trade and tourism by connecting Albania to North Macedonia and further to the Black Sea.

The A2 motorway, which connects Fier with the southern coastal city of Vlorë, was opened in 2019 and provides improved access to the tourism hotspots along the Albanian Riviera.

This project, like many others, received financial support from international donors and was seen as a strategic investment in the country's tourism industry, one of its most important economic sectors.

The ongoing expansion reflects Albania's broader aspirations for economic integration with Europe and its strategic positioning as a gateway between the Balkans and the Mediterranean.

In Late June 2024, the Thumanë-Kashar highway opened as part of the Adriatic-Ionian motorway, the segment between Thumanë and Kashar consists of around 20 kilometres (12 mi) long.