"The Train is Coming", Informational Meetings in the Municipalities of Tirana, Durrës, Shijak and Fushë Krujë

Representatives of the Albanian Foundation for Local Capacity Development (ALCDF) and the Network for Women's Empowerment in Albania (AWEN), contracted by HBMC within the framework of the EBRD project for "Promoting Civil Society for the Advancement of Sustainable Railway Transport in Albania", held informational meetings in the Municipalities of Tirana, Durrës, Shijak and Fushë Krujë. Local authorities received the necessary information about the railway network rehabilitation project that connects Tirana with Durrës and its branch towards the international airport "Mother Teresa" in Rinas. In order to have fewer incidents, it was assessed as necessary that citizens of all ages act safely and be responsible regarding compliance with rules, signs and warnings near the railway and trains. The rehabilitated Tirana-Durrës railway segment and the new Domje-Rinas segment, through the application of modern management and safety systems, will achieve Safety Integrity Level SIL 4, the same standard used by operators in European countries. The Railway Safety Plan, in addition to the remote-controlled signalling and control system, provides for protective fencing of the railway line and automatic protection systems at authorized level crossings. The role of local authorities remains particularly important not only in the construction phase but also in the operational phase of the railway. The railway fencing will close all unauthorized crossings. Authorized crossings will be positioned in accordance with the possibilities of alternative routes, while railway channels and bridges will create acceptable opportunities for animal movement. Based on the need for vehicle and pedestrian circulation, the Tirana-Rinas-Durrës railway will have 19 road crossings and 5 pedestrian-only crossings. Level crossings with roads will be equipped with automated barriers, flashing traffic lights and audible warning signals, while pedestrian crossings will contain full barriers, a warning system with lights and audio signal as well as obstacles to prevent passage of road vehicles.

In addition to their direct engagement in the field to inform as many citizens as possible living and working in the area where the railway network passes, representatives of local government in the Municipalities of Tirana, Durrës, Shijak and Fushë Krujë will use public spaces where services are offered to place panels with informational data about the project and its phases.