We live in the eastern region of Thessaloniki and when we need to go to the centre, to avoid parking issues, we tend to use bus services from the local transport hub. We rarely use the Ring Road which in itself is congested at peak times and has a high accident rate. It was built in the 1990s, affording access to the city and the Egnatia Road motorway, which runs west to east across the country from Igoumenitsa to the Kypous border with Turkey.
Much in need of improvement to cater
for high traffic volume, the 4-year project, costing around 478
million euros, began in late 2023.
Below is an artist’s impression of
the broadened route spanned by an elevated crossing.
Recently, as we headed off for a trip to the north, we were able to see close-up the great progress that is being made.
What were previously little pockets of activity with isolated pieces of structure in evidence, now appear to be joining other disparate puzzle pieces so that we begin to comprehend how they fit into the overall design.
Certainly, local users have been frustrated by traffic flow disruption due to the ongoing work- including old bridge spans being dismantled and requiring total road closure. But their patience will pay off once the eastern section of the 22 km ring road is widened and upgraded. The additional construction includes a 12 km elevated expressway, 9 interchanges, 8 bridges and tunnels and it aims to redirect about 30% of the traffic to this higher level.
The Avax-Mytilineos Consortium, responsible for the major construction work, are to be commended for the efficient and rapid execution of the project which is due for completion in May 2027.
What with our new metro currently being extended, Thessaloniki is eventually moving forward.
Once this Flyover Project is completed – and doesn’t it look grand above? - we will really be flying high!
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