Llogara Tunnel / Albania

Project objectives

Provide a road shortcut under the Llogara pass through a new, direct tunnel alignment, increase safety and reduce driving time from Vlora to Saranda by approx. 40 minutes.

Project description

The Llogara Tunnel consists of a 6 km long main tube, which is used for bi-directional traffic, and a parallel emergency escape tunnel. In the main tube there are lay-by niches every 500 m with cross passages to the escape tunnel. The tunnel has a maximum overburden of approx. 900 m. The prevailing geological and geotechnical formations were expected to be mainly limestones (slightly, moderately to highly fractured). Cataclastic fault zones were also expected. The ventilation system is a semi-transverse system with fresh air being supplied through the tunnel tube and exhaust air extracted through a channel in the crown of the tunnel. The control building is located at the North portal.

Project data

• Total length of new route: 7.42 km, tunnel length: 5,992 m
• Main bridge: 110 m

Services

Complete design for the whole road section including road, tunnel and two bridges. iC was responsible for the tunnel including portal buildings, civil engineering design, structural design and architectural design in all project phases from feasibility (short planning period of six months) to detailed design. The design and detailed planning was in three phases.