Podgorica–Shkodër railway
Encyclopedia
The Podgorica–Shkodër railway is a railway
connecting Albania
and Montenegro
, used primarily for freight-purposes only. It is Albania's only international rail link. Although initially built between 1984–1985, it fell into disuse in 1991 and later fully reopened in 2003. The railway is operated by Railways of Montenegro
between Podgorica
and Bajzë
, and by Albanian Railways between Bajzë and Shkodër
.
The line connects to the famous Belgrade–Bar railway and Nikšić-Podgorica railway in Podgorica, and the Shkodër–Vorë railway
in Shkodër.
railway, of which 34 kilometres runs through Albania and the remaining 29.5 kilometres through Montenegro. Like other railways throughout Albania, the railway is not electrified.
. The Bajzë-Shkodër line (with the exception of Han i Hotit) was reopened for use in February 1996. A reopening of the Han i Hotit-Bajzë line was scheduled for 15 November 1996 but was cancelled. The track was later badly damaged due to civil unrest in 1997.
In April 2002, reconstruction of the line between the Montenegrin border at Han i Hotit and Bajzë were completed. By March 2003, the line between Bajzë and Shkodër was completed with 365 million lek
funded by the Albanian government. A ceremony held on 6 March 2003 officially marked the opening of the Bajzë–Shkodër. As a sign of mutual cooperation, then-Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano
and a then-Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister travelled to Tuzi
in Montenegro on a special train operating on this line.
There are other plans involving the construction of a new high-speed rail line between Podgorica and Shkodër.
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Rail transport
Rail transport is a means of conveyance of passengers and goods by way of wheeled vehicles running on rail tracks. In contrast to road transport, where vehicles merely run on a prepared surface, rail vehicles are also directionally guided by the tracks they run on...
connecting Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
and Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, used primarily for freight-purposes only. It is Albania's only international rail link. Although initially built between 1984–1985, it fell into disuse in 1991 and later fully reopened in 2003. The railway is operated by Railways of Montenegro
Railways of Montenegro
Rail transport in Montenegro is operated by three separate companies, which independently handle railway infrastructure, passenger transport and cargo transport.Montenegro is a member of the International Union of Railways...
between Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
and Bajzë
Bajze
Bajzë is a city in the Kastrat Municipality, Malësi e Madhe District, Shkodër County, northern Albania. It has a population of 2,346.- Road :Bajzë is located on the European route E762, important for its economic development...
, and by Albanian Railways between Bajzë and Shkodër
Shkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
.
The line connects to the famous Belgrade–Bar railway and Nikšić-Podgorica railway in Podgorica, and the Shkodër–Vorë railway
Shkodër–Vorë railway
The Shkodër–Vorë railway is a railway between Shkodër and Vorë in Albania.The line connects to the Podgorica–Shkodër railway in Shkodër, the uncompleted Milot–Klos railway in Milot and the Durrës–Tiranë railway in Vorë.- Overview :...
in Shkodër.
Overview
Podgorica–Shkodër is a 63.5 kilometre-long standard gaugeStandard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
railway, of which 34 kilometres runs through Albania and the remaining 29.5 kilometres through Montenegro. Like other railways throughout Albania, the railway is not electrified.
History
Built between 1984 and 1985, the Podgorica–Shkodër freight line was the first international railway of Albania. It began operations on 11 January 1985 with regular traffic beginning 6 August 1986. The line fell into disuse in 1991 due to trade sanctions in YugoslaviaSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
. The Bajzë-Shkodër line (with the exception of Han i Hotit) was reopened for use in February 1996. A reopening of the Han i Hotit-Bajzë line was scheduled for 15 November 1996 but was cancelled. The track was later badly damaged due to civil unrest in 1997.
In April 2002, reconstruction of the line between the Montenegrin border at Han i Hotit and Bajzë were completed. By March 2003, the line between Bajzë and Shkodër was completed with 365 million lek
Albanian lek
The lek is the official currency of Albania. It is subdivided into 100 qindarka , although qindarka are no longer issued.-Names:...
funded by the Albanian government. A ceremony held on 6 March 2003 officially marked the opening of the Bajzë–Shkodër. As a sign of mutual cooperation, then-Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano
Fatos Nano
Fatos Thanas Nano is an Albanian economist who was Prime Minister of Albania during several periods, the first leader of the Socialist Party of Albania, and member of the Albanian Parliament from 1991 to 1996 and 1997 to 2009...
and a then-Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister travelled to Tuzi
Tuzi
Tuzi is a town in the Podgorica municipality, Montenegro, located along a main road between the city of Podgorica and the Albanian border crossing, just a few kilometers north of Lake Skadar. The exact location of Tuzi is...
in Montenegro on a special train operating on this line.
Future Plans
Long-term plans currently exist for the establishment and operation of passenger service on this railway.There are other plans involving the construction of a new high-speed rail line between Podgorica and Shkodër.
Stations
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| Station | Image | Opened | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Podgorica Podgorica Rail Station The Podgorica Rail Station is a railroad station located in Podgorica, Montenegro.... |
 |
||
| Tuzi | |||
| Bajzë Bajzë Rail Station The Bajzë Rail Station is a railroad station located in Bajzë, Albania. It serves Albanian Railways as a freight line between Bajzë and Shkodër with an extension to the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica operated by Railways of Montenegro. Two freight trains pass daily through the station, hauling... |
|||
| Koplik | |||
| Grilë | |||
| Shkodër |
See also
- Albanian Railways
- Railways of MontenegroRailways of MontenegroRail transport in Montenegro is operated by three separate companies, which independently handle railway infrastructure, passenger transport and cargo transport.Montenegro is a member of the International Union of Railways...