Tender for a new 40 mln euro road project in Messinia to be published within days

It is a matter of days for the notice to be issued for the road project of the Gialova bypass. By decision of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, an amount of 40.5 million euros was pledged, which includes VAT. At the same time, the conduct of an open tender with an amount of 37.35 million euros (amount including VAT) was approved and the tender documents were also approved.

The difference in the first amount from the second is due to the existence of an option (i.e. possibly an additional project) amounting to 3.15 million euros for the construction of a level junction, collateral network, settlement of Xerolagado, Giannouzaga and Xeria streams. The contracting authority of the project is the Ministry of Infrastructure.

A few days ago, the project was included in the Sectoral Development Program (SDP) 2021-2025 of the ministry, while since last March it was characterized as “national level”. Along with another decision, the forced expropriations of properties required for the construction of the project in question were announced.

The value of the project

As stated in the decision, the implementation of the project aims to upgrade the said section of the Kyparissia-Filiatra-Pylos axis by improving the geometric characteristics and width of the road, offering safety and comfort to users and contributing to the reduction of accidents on the road.

Additionally, given that today the existing axis passes through the settlement of Gialova, the construction of the project in question contributes to the removal of the adverse effects that this causes both for road users and for the residents of the area.

Given the particularly increased touristic development of the area, the upgrading and improvement of the road network of the wider area, which is achieved through the construction of the Gialova Bypass, becomes necessary both to serve the residents and the ever-increasing visitors, while contributing to the further economic development of the area.

In addition, in recent years, the area where the project is located, shows significant tourism development where large hotel units and tourist companies are active, making Messinia a sustainable tourist destination.

What will be built?

The physical object includes the upgrade of the Romanos – Gialovas connection section with the National Road of Kalamata-Pylos, with a total length of 7.7 kilometers. The project includes:

a) the improvement of the existing 9th N.R. from Romanos to the area of ​​Giannoulaiki with a total length of 3.5 km and

b) the construction of a new road axis east of the settlement of Gialova, which ends at the reconstructed connection with N.R. Kalamata-Pylos.

The scope of the project includes the construction of a two-lane cross-section artery with a road width of 11 meters, with a single road surface with its accompanying works (5 level roundabouts, 2 cut&cover, technical works of stream bridging, works to support slope-reinforced embankments, Overpass of an existing road, electric lighting, arrangement of rainwater runoff, etc.).

In the section from the Gialova junction to Methoni, approximately 15km long, excluding the 4.5km Pylos Bypass, the improvement and upgrading of the road axis is planned through the Kalamata-Pylos-Methoni PPP project, which is in the final stage of the tender process.

In the wider network from Patras to Methoni, the new 75km long Patras-Pyrgos highway is under construction, while the 54km long Pyrgos-Kalo Nero section will also be upgraded to a highway in the future. In the present phase, improvement projects are being carried out in various sections up to the area of ​​Romanos. A section of the 2km long axis connecting Gialova with the Kalamata-Pylos axis has already been reconstructed.