Two important infrastructure projects are expected to change in the coming years the way of connecting the north of Albania with Montenegro. The focus is on two new bridges over the Buna River, which are connected to various road and tourism projects.
One of them is part of the highway project Muriqan-Lezhë, the northern segment of the Adriatic–Ionian Corridor, known as the Blue Corridor.
The bridge planned on this axis will have a length of approx 480 meters and width of 29.5 meters, while its central space will be approx 200 meters. It will be built as part of a four-lane highway and aims to create a new road connection with Montenegro, also facilitating transit traffic on the existing network.
But the new infrastructure on Buna does not end there.
The bridge that connects Velipoja with Ulcinj
Another project envisages the construction of Pulaj-St. Nicholas bridge, which will create a direct connection between the area of Velipoja and the territory of Montenegro, with continuation towards Ulcinj.
In June 2026, the Montenegrin authorities announced that they had received from the Albanian side three conceptual variants for this bridge. According to them, the technical cooperation between the two countries would continue to determine the most suitable solution.
The project also envisages the creation of a common border point Saint Nicholas-Pulaj, which would make the connection between the two countries more functional.
Unlike the Blue Corridor bridge, this project is not only aimed at vehicular traffic. The concept also provides space for cyclists and pedestrians, giving the bridge a special importance for the development of tourism.
Two influential projects in the north
If both bridges are completed, Shkodra and the surrounding areas will have two new connection corridors over Buna, with different functions.
The Blue Corridor will strengthen the connection of the north of Albania with the main European road network in the north-south direction, while the Pulaj-Shën Nikolë bridge is expected to create a new axis between Velipoja and Ulcinj, with great potential for tourism and cross-border movement.
Beyond traffic relief, the implementation of these projects can affect the way tourism develops in Velipojë, the infrastructural relations between Albania and Montenegro and Shkodra's position in the regional transport network.
