Green light for the restoration of the Evinos bridge on NEA ODOS

of Eleni Botas

The green light for the solution of the big problem that has been created in the road connection on the old national road Antirriou – Ioannina after the destruction of the bridge over the river Evinos from the bad weather last December, was given by order of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.

The demolition works of the road bridge of the Old National Road Antirriou – Ioannina as well as the complete reconstruction including all the necessary hydraulic works for the protection of the pedestals and the arrangement of the river for the flood protection of the area as well as the temporary restoration works. of all kinds of pipelines and networks on the bridge to be demolished, by NEA ODOS SA has a budget of 105 million euros.

In particular, with an amendment of the decision of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, an “Complementary Works Order is given under article 18.6 of the concession contract for the emergency flood protection of the areas upstream and downstream of the Ionian Highway” regarding the work deconstruction of the road bridge of the Old National Road Antirriou – Ioannina as well as its complete reconstruction, including all the necessary hydraulic works for the protection of the pedestals and the arrangement of the river for the flood protection of the area as well as the temporary restoration works all types of pipelines and networks on the bridge to be demolished “.

As stated in the decision “in September 2020, the Concessionaire was instructed to carry out additional work for the emergency flood protection of the areas of the Ionian Road highway, at a total cost of 105 million euros (plus VAT).

The Concessionaire (NEA ODOS) accepted the order. In this decision was foreseen the study and the project “Measures for the protection of the Bridges of the Old National Road Antirriou – Ioannina and the Railway Line”. However, due to the delay in approving their environmental permits, it was not possible to start the above-mentioned works, as a result of which, during the extreme weather events, insurmountable damages were created on the above bridges.

The extreme weather phenomena that hit Etoloakarnania along the river Evinos and especially on the two days 10-12 December 2021 created huge problems in the wider area of ​​Evinochori, resulting in, among other things, the collapse of parts of the railway bridge and the bridge that has dragged the two vertebrae of the deck on both sides, resulting in the cessation of traffic in the old Antirrio – Ioannina National Road under the jurisdiction of the Region of Western Greece.

Therefore, as stated “given the need for immediate restoration of traffic of the old EO Antirrio – Ioannina, it is necessary to amend / supplement the above ministerial decision which will be included by redistribution of projects to be performed and in order to maintain the already approved credit 105 million euros, the demolition works of the road bridge of the Old National Road Antirriou – Ioannina as well as the complete reconstruction including all the necessary hydraulic works for the protection of the pedestals and the arrangement of the river for the flood protection of the area as well as the restoration works “of the road connection and arrangement of all kinds of pipelines and networks on the bridge to be demolished. The Concessionaire NEA ODOS is called as after receiving this order to take all the necessary actions”.

Important project for the area

The damage suffered by the bridge of Evinos, which connects the municipalities of Messolonghi and Nafpaktia, results in the daily suffering of residents from the villages around the mouth of the river and their communication with the urban centers of the prefecture of Etoloakarnania.

Recently, protest rallies have been held demanding the restoration of the bridge, while the issue had also reached Parliament.

According to estimates, the projects will be completed in about two years.