![Thessaloniki: Construction sites for the Flyover highway are being set up next week [map]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/flyover-thessaloniki-3-1024x576.jpg)
Starting next week, the ambitious project of the above-ground axis will enter the pipeline, which will try to make the movement of the people of Thessaloniki and visitors easier and faster, putting an end to the torment of the Peripheral thoroughfare that drivers have endured for decades.
In this context, the time is counting down for the start of the construction of the “Flyover”, the aerial road which, together with the metro, if not solving, at least it is estimated that will “alleviate” the nightmarish traffic problem of Thessaloniki.
The actions to limit the impacts from the construction of the Thessaloniki FlyOver
The joint venture of the contractors of the project, AVAX and Mytilineos, owes the first four years must construct the project and for the remaining 26 must maintain and operate it. Repayment will be made over 30 years (to be paid at current prices at that time) depending on the achievement of targets.
The suffering
Therefore, apart from the long-suffering metro, which is at a particularly advanced stage, finally heading towards its completion, the skyway on the eastern side of Regional Thessaloniki is expected to offer a big “breather” to the city’s traffic.
Of course, before the relief that the project will bring, when it is completed, the inconvenience during the works is inevitable, as the cars will move, when they are not… stuck in traffic, at speeds of 60 kilometers per hour on the two lanes of the ring road.
The “Flyover” will serve 10,000 vehicles per hour in each direction and will save lives, as today, according to the data, the mortality rate on the Eastern Ring Road of Thessaloniki is 12 times higher than on Attiki Odos in Athens.
The project has a total budget of 478 million euros and will be the biggest road project in Thessaloniki for years. The first very large project after the construction of the iconic Egnatia Road. Together with the metro, they are considered the strong cards in the… transportation wars that are raging in Thessaloniki and everyone’s bet is to win at some point.
The reactions and “hostile actions” in the streets
The major issue that Thessaloniki will now face from next week is the traffic confusion that will be caused in the city due to the diversion of a significant part of the traffic within the urban complex.
There does not seem to be a clear plan for solving this conundrum, namely the construction of the overground ring road and the smooth flow of traffic. According to what was mentioned by the Minister of Transport, Christos Staikouras at the presentation of the project, the planning to deal with the impacts will be dynamic, the doctrine of “seeing and doing” will generally be applied.
To begin with, the Traffic Police has drawn up an Intensive Traffic Policing Plan on specific Roads which includes intensive controls to remove illegally parked vehicles and to use the entire roadway for vehicle traffic.
However, moving to Thessaloniki for the next four years will require enormous reserves of perseverance and patience.
What is the Flyover?
The project has a total length of 13 Km. The boulevard will have 4 lanes, 2 plus one emergency lane in each direction. Also, the project includes 9 uneven junctions, 8 new bridges and 3 tunnels.
The new road axis will be able to create a through traffic between the beginning and the end of it “spilling” the current traffic on the existing section of the outdated Ring Road which will now have a more local, more urban character.
Drivers will have better access to the airport, southern Thessaloniki and Halkidiki and will enable better, more comfortable and safer travel. The new axis is estimated to greatly improve road safety levels compared to the existing one in which accidents are a particularly frequent phenomenon.


Latest News

Trump Tariffs Jeopardize Growth: Piraeus Chamber of Commerce
The tariffs, aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit, are expected to have both direct and indirect effects on the European economy

EU Condemns Trump Tariffs, Prepares to Retaliate
As tensions escalate, the EU is expected to continue negotiations with Washington while preparing for potential economic retaliation.

The Likely Impact of Trump Tariffs on Europe and Greece
Trump tariffs are expected to negatively affect economic growth in the Eurozone while Greece's exports could take a hit.

Motor Oil Results for 2024: Adjusted EBITDA of 995 mln€; Proposed Dividend of 1.4€ Per Share
Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was down 33% yoy. The adjusted profit after tax for 2024 stood at 504 million euros, a 43% decrease from the previous year

Cost of Living: Why Greece’s 3% Inflation Is Raising Alarm
Greece appears to be in a more difficult position when it comes to price hikes, just as we enter the era of Trump’s tariffs.

Fitch Ratings Upgrades the Four Greek Systemic Banks
NBG’s upgrade reflects the bank’s ongoing improvements in its credit profile, Fitch notes in its report, including strong profitability, a reduction in non-performing exposures (NPEs), and lower credit losses

Trump to Announce Sweeping New Tariffs Wednesday, Global Retaliation Expected
With Trump's announcement just hours away, markets, businesses, and foreign governments are bracing for the fallout of one of the most aggressive shifts in U.S. trade policy in decades.

Inflation in Greece at 3.1% in March, Eurostat Reports
Average inflation in the eurozone settled at 2.2%, compared to 2.3% in February

Greece’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 8.6% in February
Despite the overall decline, unemployment remains higher among women and young people.

Jerry Kalogiratos Highlights Key Role of Energy Transition and Data Demand in LNG Outlook
Energy transition and the prospects of LNG were discussed at Capital Link’s 19th Annual International Maritime Forum, during a panel discussion with Jerry Kalogiratos (Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp.)