Evia’s big road project is starting – Works will commence mid-February

Construction of the Chalkida Bypass is expected to commence by Easter 2024. According to sources close to the construction, the project signed 10 months ago is in the preparatory phase. This specific road project belongs to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s new-generation projects.

The project was undertaken by METKA, a member of the Mytilineos Group, which added another major road project to its portfolio. This comes after the completion of the Ambraikia Road (handed over yesterday) and the construction of the Flyover in Thessaloniki Regional Road (with ABAX). The large company secured the project in the respective competition with a discount rate of 7.61%.

The project is being implemented using the design-build method. This means that METKA undertook it at the preliminary design level, and according to the project’s design, the first year is dedicated to completing the final studies and application designs.

According to the same sources, most of the studies have already been submitted for approval, and the remaining ones will follow in the coming period. According to estimates from METKA, the initial projects may commence around Easter and intensify after the summer.

A contributing factor to the projects, however paradoxical it may seem, is the completion of the Ambraikia Road project. As personnel and machinery become available, they can now be directed towards the construction site in Chalkida.

The duration of the project has been set at 48 months from the signing of the contract. This means that the construction work is estimated to take 36 months without accounting for additional time required for project contingencies, including the Psachna Bypass.

Assuming there are no delays during the construction period, the initial projects are expected to be completed within the first half of 2027.

The first major road project in Evia

It is the first major road project for the region of Evia, coming after several years of anticipation. The Chalkida and Psachna Bypass is the most significant undertaking for the area, set to enhance transportation in the broader region. The assigning authority is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

The cost of the project has been estimated at 210 million euros, including VAT (169.35 million euros excluding VAT). The main project costs 125 million euros, including VAT, and an additional 85 million euros for the optional components. It includes two road segments: the first one from Nea Lampsakos to the Vathrovnio Tunnel, with a length of 2 km, and then the segment from the Vathrovnio Tunnel to Psachna, with a length of 14.7 km. The optional components include the following segments:

a)The section before Nea Lampsakos, towards Chalkida / High Bridge, namely the segment ‘M.W. Schimatariou – Nea Lampsakos,’ which has an approximate length of 4.0 km.
b) The segment of the Psachna Bypass and
c) The segment of the arterial connection between Northern and Southern Evia, linking the asymmetrical junction of Liani Ammou of the Chalkida Bypass with the road network towards Southern Evia.

The project is expected to be funded through resources from the ESPA (European Structural and Investment Funds) 2021-2027. The Chalkida and Psachna Bypass auction was part of a series of auctions for four road projects by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The Nea Poli-Agios Nikolaos section of the Crete’s Motorway is currently under construction. Also in advanced auction stages are the expansion of L. Kimi, which is a new segment of the Attiki Odos, and the Bralos-Amfissa section of the diagonal axis Lamia-Itea-Antirrio.

The project

The Chalkida Bypass, along with the contiguous segments of the Psachna Bypass and the arterial connection between Northern and Southern Evia, is part of the efforts to improve the connection between Athens and Chalkida with northern Evia. Simultaneously, it aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the urban areas of Chalkida, N. Artaki, and Psachna by diverting the current traffic flow which currently passes through these urban areas.

The construction of the Chalkida Bypass segment, along with diverting the passing traffic to it, will not only facilitate smoother traffic flow for those using the new road, significantly reducing travel time, but also improving traffic conditions in the affected urban areas. This positive impact will contribute to environmental improvements and support the economic development of the broader region.

With the construction of the continuous segments before Nea Lampsakos, towards Chalkida / High Bridge, and subsequently towards the Psachna Bypass, as well as the arterial connection between Northern and Southern Evia, and in the future towards Istiaia – Aidipsos, with the construction of new and/or reconstruction of existing segments featuring modern design and upgraded geometry, a unified and safe road axis can be provided to traffic up to Aidipsos. This road will have the necessary safety features and speed characteristics to meet northern Evia’s available tourism and other potential.

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