Thessaloniki Western Ring Road to be completed by Summer 2019

The end of the tunnel is near for 2 contracts concening the unlevelling of Thessaloniki Western Ring Road, that have begun since 2014. Well-informed sources told ypodomes.com that, until the early Summer of 2019, the 2 projects will be gradually completed. More specifically, Domotechniki’s (which is currently experiencing significant problems) is due to be completed at the end of the year and INTRAKAT’s contract, which is the biggest one, at the end of May 2019. The main reason for these delays is the expropriations, which had been carried out very slowly.

Upon the main project’s completion, the Ring Road’s Western section will be released to traffic, immediately relieving the drivers of Thessaloniki, but, at the same time, pending construction works for the finalization of the project, will require a new “sweep” contract with a cost approximately 38.2m euros (VAT incl., amount excl. VAT: 30.81m euros) and includes works from Interchange 16 (on the intersection with PAThE Motorway Axis) to Efkarpia Interchange. The aim is for the remaining projects to be completed and operate, within 4 years after the signatures (expected in 2019), i.e. sometime in 2023. It is reminded that the project’s total cost amounts to 110m euros and is co-funded by NSRF 2007-2013 and NSRF 2014-2020 (as a phasing project).

New auction for Interchange 16

At the same time, an auction for another “sweep” contract is underway by the Region of Central Macedonia regarding the completion of the large Interchange 16. The tender is due to take place on 29 October and is expected to attract several contenders. The cost of the projects is approximately 45m euros (incl. VAT, amount excl. VAT: 37.5m euros).

The operation of the renovated and unlevelled Western section of Thessaloniki Ring Road, starting from next Summer, is expected to give the city a significant traffic alleviation while it will improve access to the Airport, the southern part of Thessaloniki Prefecture and Chalkidiki.

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com