Contract for yet another one new road infrastructure project in Central Greece to be signed within days

The signing of yet another major road project is a matter of days. After the signing of the Bralos-Amfissa road project, it is now the turn of the Chalkida Bypass project. According to information, it is a project in which everything is ready for the signatures to take place. The contractor is Mytileneos, which won the relevant tender with a discount rate of 7.61%.

Let’s remember that the tender of the project took place at the beginning of the year, initially with the submission of the files and then with the unsealing of the bids. The decision that finalized the underwriting of Mytileneos was taken on October 12 by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which is the contracting authority of the project. The project also passed the Parliament on December 8, 2022, completing the pre-contractual period.

The duration of the project is set at 48 months from the signing of the contract. As long as the projects are not delayed during the construction period, then they could be completed by the summer of 2027.

The first major road project in Evia

It is the first major road project for the Evia region and after several years of waiting. The Chalkida and Psachna Bypass is the most important project for the region that will improve transportation in the wider area. The Contracting Authority is the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

The cost of the project has been estimated at an amount including VAT of 210 million euros (169.35 million euros without VAT). The main project has a cost including VAT of 125 million euros and the option another 85 million euros. It includes two road sections: the first is from Nea Lampsako to the Vathrovouni Tunnel, 2km long, and then to the Vathrovouni Tunnel section to Psachna, 14.7km long. Optionally, the sections include:

4. a) the section before Nea Lampsako, towards Chalkida / High Bridge, i.e. the section “A. K. Schimatariou – Nea Lampsakos”, approximately 4.0 km long,
5. b) the section of the Psachni bypass and
6. c) the section of the North-South Evia connecting artery that connects the Liani Ammos junction of the Chalkida bypass with the road network to southern Evia.

The project is expected to be financed by NSRF 2021-2027 funds. The tender for the Bypass of Chalkida and Psachna was part of a round of tenders for 4 road projects by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. Under construction is the Neapolis-Agios Nikolaos section of the VOAK. In an advanced tender are also: the extension of Kymi Av. which is a new section of Attiki Odos and the Bralos-Amfissa section of the diagonal axis Lamia-Itea-Antirrio.

The identity of the project

The Chalkida Bypass road with the continuous sections of the Psachna Bypass and the North-South Evia connection artery is part of the projects to improve the connection between Athens and Chalkida with northern Evia and – at the same time – to decongest the urban fabric of Chalkida, N. Artakis and Psachni from the passing traffic, which today necessarily passes through the above urban areas.

With the construction of the Chalkida Bypass section and the channeling of the passing traffic to it, on the one hand, the traffic that will follow the new road will be facilitated and the travel time will be significantly reduced, but also – at the same time – the traffic conditions in affected urban areas with a positive effect on the environment and the economic development of the wider region.

With the construction of the continuing sections before Nea Lampsako, to Chalkida / High Bridge and then to the Psachni bypass, and the artery connecting North – South Evia and in the future to Istiaia – Edipso, with the construction of new and/or reconstruction of existing sections with a modern design and upgraded geometry, a single and safe road axis up to Edipsos with the necessary safety and speed characteristics, which will respond to the available tourist and other potential of northern Evia, will be available for traffic.

The specific object of the project is the complete study and construction of:

1) Of the section of highway section a4vs: N. Lampsakos – Vathrovouniou Tunnel. It is noted that from Km. position. 4+960 until Km. position. 5+400 the above standard highway cross-section (α4νσ) is adjusted to a standard cross-section of two traffic lanes β2σ, which is applied for the entire remaining road axis,

2) Of the highway section of the closed type cross-section β2σ: Vathrovouniou Tunnel – Psachna (P.T. 6+000 – 20+760)

3) Of the sections of option a) the section before Nea Lampsako, towards Chalkida / High Bridge, i.e. the section “A. K. Schimatariou – Nea Lampsakos”, approximately 4.0 km long, b) the section of the Psachni bypass and c) the section of the North-South Evia connection highway that connects the uneven junction Liani Ammos of the Chalkida bypass with the road network to southern Evia.