Significant progress is being made on the construction of a second bridge connecting Turkey and Greece, with preparations for the construction tender set to begin soon after final project approval, a senior official announced on Monday.
This new bridge over the Maritsa (Meriç) River aims to enhance transportation and infrastructure between the two nations, reflecting a period of improved relations despite occasional political tensions.
The bridge will connect the Ipsala border gate in Turkey with the Kipi border gate in Greece.
“Following the approval of the projects, we will start preparations for the construction tender. This bridge will contribute to further easing transportation and increasing trade between the two countries,” Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said in a written statement.
Uraloğlu highlighted that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Athens on January 22, 2004, to collaboratively build a new highway border crossing bridge at the Ipsala-Kipi border crossing. Significant steps have since been taken to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation.
He explained that under this MoU, Greece agreed to undertake the bridge project on June 10, 2006, with project works now nearing completion.
Project completion by Greece is expected within the year, as discussed during the 9th Meeting of the Joint Planning and Monitoring Project Committee held in Thessaloniki on April 17, 2024. Following project approval, construction tender preparations will commence.
He also emphasised the strategic importance of the bridge for both Türkiye and Greece, as well as the broader region.
The bridge will enhance Turkey’s connectivity to the Pan-European Corridor and Balkan countries via the Egnatia Motorway.
Uraloglu noted that the 841-meter-long (2,759.19-feet-long) extradosed bridge over the Meriç River is designed to accommodate the increasing traffic, unlike the old bridge built in 1958. The new bridge will be a four-lane structure.
Source: Daily Sabah.
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