AAF start the reconstruction of Buna Bridge

: Published: Monday, 24 April 2017 18:09

The Armed Forces sappers, in cooperation with the Albanian Fund of Development, began today the reconstruction of the Buna Bridge in the city of Shkodra.The Defence Minister, Mrs. Mimi Kodheli, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ditmir Bushati, Deputy Minister of Culture Mr. Zef Çuni and representatives of civil society were present at the beginning of the reconstruction process.

During her speech Minister Kodheli considered the Buna Bridge as one of the most beautiful bridges with historical values, not only for Shkodra, but for all of Albania. For the reconstruction of this bridge, Mrs. Kodheli praised Minister Bushati, whose insistence, she said, has made possible the disbursement of the necessary funds for its reconstruction. "It took us very little to respond positively to the Albanian Government's several days insistence to draw the money needed for the reconstructing of the bridge. Without the prompting of Minister Bushati and Shkodra citizens, really it would not have been possible to start the work on this bridge so soon" - said Minister Kodheli, who thanked the Armed Forces for their readiness, though, as she pointed out, the bridge is not property of Ministry of Defense, but of the local authorities.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati thanked the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces and the Albanian Fund for Development for the given contribution not only to the reconstruction of the Buna Bridge but also for carrying out an ambitious project for all the area. "Actually, it was a commitment taken ten days ago together with the Prime Minister, during a conversation we had with the youth of Shkodra. The project is more ambitious than this one introduced today. Right now we are simply in the first stage and I hope for 4 or 5 weeks we will make the bridge crossable. We will make it possible for the citizens of Shkodra, first and foremost, but also for those who want to visit Shkodra and the attractions around the lake" - he said.

The accomplishment of job for the reconstruction of the old Buna Bridge, which is 166 m long, should probably last about a month.

Being a cultural monument built over a century ago, vehicles will not be allowed to cross the Buna Bridge.