Project / Construction Management
Project
FIDIC Engineer for the modernization of the existing railway Line Durres – Tirana and the construction of the new railway connection to Tirana International Airport, Albania
Location: Albania
Client: Albanian Railways
Date: 2021 –
Construction cost: approx. € 80 million
Technical Details
The project comprises the rehabilitation of the existing single-track railway line between the Port of Durres and the capital, Tirana, with a total length of 34.2 km, as well as the construction of a new 5.6 km single-track branch line connecting to Tirana International Airport. The overall project length amounts to 39.8 km.
Key infrastructure components include 8 new railway bridges, one tunnel, retaining walls and culverts, 21 level crossings, and 5 pedestrian underpasses at stations. The scope covers both civil works and signalling & telecommunications systems and is implemented under the FIDIC 1999 Conditions of Contract, Yellow Book.
In addition, the project includes the development of 8 stations and stops along the line. These works are being carried out under the FIDIC 1999 Conditions of Contract (Red Book) and involve the construction of new station buildings, platforms, and surrounding areas, all designed to ensure full accessibility.
Design and construction comply with the Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI) for the European railway network. The main technical characteristics include:
– Design speed: 100–120 km/h
– Standard gauge: 1,435 mm
– Continuously welded rails
– ETCS Level 1 (with provision for future upgrade to ERTMS/ETCS Level 2)
– NGSDH/IP transmission system
– Safety integrity level SIL4 in accordance with CENELEC EN 50129
– Electrification provisions, including two new traction power substations
Services Provided
The scope of services covers the full role of the FIDIC Engineer, acting on behalf of the Client during project implementation by the Contractors (FIDIC 1999 Yellow & Red Book).
Services include, inter alia:
– Design review and approval
– Construction supervision and site management
– Quality assurance and project monitoring
– Contract administration
– Variations and claims management
– Support during testing, commissioning, and project handover
Surveys:
- Geodetic (topographical) surveys
- Geotechnical Surveys
Design:
– Detailed design for all Civil Works (substructure, superstructure, structures)
- alignment – substructure
- railway superstructure
- bridges
- tunnels
- overpasses/underpasses
- retaining walls, culverts
- drainage
- formation setting
- railway stations and halts, including buildings, platforms, and canopies etc.
- disposal sites / borrow pits
- expropriations
- Design of signalling and telecommunication systems
– Design of electrification system
– Technical Specifications for Interlocking and Communication Equipment.
– Electrification Design
Tender Documents:
- Technical part (arising from the approved designs)
- Legal part: Procurement Plan, Tender Documents, Prequalification Documents, Evaluation Reports, Special Conditions of FIDIC Contract
