Drini Bridge

Drini Bridge Ura e Drinit
Close shot of the Drini Bridge
Coordinates	42°05′20″N 20°24′40″E / 42.0890°N 20.4110°E / 42.0890; 20.4110
Carries	A1 motorway
Crosses	Black Drin River / Fierza Reservoir
Locale	Kukës, Albania
Characteristics
Design	Through-arch bridge
Material	Weathering steel and concrete
Total length	310 m
Width	23 m
Height	55 m (arch above deck)
Longest span	270 m
History
Opened	November 4, 2024
Location
Interactive map of Drini Bridge

Drini Bridge (Albanian: Ura e Drinit) is a through-arch motorway bridge located near the city of Kukës in northeastern Albania. It spans the Black Drin River and the Fierza Reservoir as part of the A1 motorway, connecting Albania with Kosovo.

Overview

The bridge was inaugurated on 4 November 2024, replacing an older two-lane crossing built in the 1970s. The project is considered a major infrastructure milestone for northeastern Albania, easing traffic bottlenecks on the Durrës–Kukës–Morinë highway.

Design and construction

The Drini Bridge has a total length of 310 metres (1,020 ft), with a central span of 270 metres (890 ft) — one of the longest arch spans in the region. The arch rises approximately 55 metres (180 ft) above the deck, and the bridge is about 23 metres (75 ft) wide, allowing four traffic lanes and pedestrian walkways.

It was built using weathering steel and reinforced concrete, minimizing the need for painting and maintenance. The components were prefabricated on land and launched across the river using barges.

The project was completed by the Albanian company Salillari sh.p.k., with structural engineering expertise initially entrusted to the Italian firm Maeg and subsequently assumed by Cimolai.

Significance

The bridge enhances the economic corridor between Albania and Kosovo, supporting regional integration and trade. Its weathering steel arch has also become a landmark feature visible from much of the surrounding area.

Reception

While widely praised for improving connectivity, the bridge has also faced criticism for potentially reducing traffic through Kukës city, affecting local commerce.

See also

• A1 motorway (Albania)
• Kukës
• Black Drin
• List of bridges in Albania

References

External links

• Project announcement – Prime Minister's Office
• Drini Bridge Project – Maeg S.p.A.
• Drini Bridge - Cimolai S.p.A.
• Steel Supply for Drini Bridge – Pittini Group