Driving restrictions for flame relay
As the Olympic Flame winds its way today from Piraeus, south to Cape Sounion and then up through southeastern Attica to central Athens and the Acropolis, motorists will find a series of main avenues closed to traffic to allow passage for the torchbearers and their vehicle train. Traffic police warned yesterday that, apart from the gradual closure of roads in accordance with the flame’s progress, parking will also be forbidden along the route which starts from Korai Square in Piraeus, traverses southern Attica and ends at the ancient citadel. The first torchbearer will set off from Piraeus at 8.37 a.m., and the flame will proceed through Moschato, Rendi, Tavros, Kallithea and Nea Smyrni, to reach Neo Faliron at 10.40 a.m. Next come Alimos, Hellenikon, Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni and Vari, with the flame due in Lavrion at 3 p.m. From Kalyvia, Markopoulo (4.30 p.m.), Koropi, Argyroupolis (7.30 p.m.), Ilioupolis and Hymettus, it will arrive in Vyronas at 8.30 p.m. Half an hour later, it is due to reach the Acropolis, having proceeded along Ardittou, Vassilissis Olgas and Vassilissis Amalias to Dionysiou Areopagitou. Similar restrictions will apply tomorrow, as the flame heads for the main Olympic stadium for the opening ceremony. Also tomorrow, from 3 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Saturday, all non-Games related vehicles will be banned from Vassilissis Sofias Avenue from the Hilton Hotel to Alexandras Avenue, on Kifissias Avenue from Alexandras to the Attiki Odos highway, and on Kymis Avenue from the Attiki Odos to Tralleon Street. From 8 p.m. tomorrow, parking will be banned along the course of the weekend cycling race (which starts and ends at Korai Square and winds through most of the center) and on roads that cross the cycling route.
