An undersea tunnel by 2008?
The undersea tunnel, the biggest work after the Thessaloniki metro and the only such work in northern Greece, is a project that still exists only on paper. The first studies date from before 1990, when reclaiming land off the coast was rejected as an unacceptable alteration to the city’s historical character. The work has featured in many official announcements. Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou recently announced a specific timetable, from 2003 to 2006-07. One of the few such works in Greece, the undersea tunnel will, together with the ring road and the Egnatia Highway, help the city’s development. The route linking the new western exit with the coastal road, Mega Alexandrou, will be 3,780 meters long, of which 1,240 meters will run under the seabed. The 2,140-meter land sections of the route will be open-cut, while the undersea section will be made of prefabricated boxes taken by tugboat and lain in the trench dug into the sea bed, 120 meters from the old breakwater. There will be three lanes in each direction, and two entrances: one at the new western exit, one in Kountouriotou Street, and one in Mega Alexandros Avenue near the Macedonia Palace hotel. The work, funded by the State, the EU, private finance and loans, is expected to cost 300 million euros. The invitation for bids is expected to take place this May, with the work probably put up for tender in December. The road is expected to reduce traffic in the city center (40 percent in Tsimiski) and will increase average vehicle speed by 35 percent, while reducing journey time by up to 70 percent and fuel consumption by 40 percent; and it can be extended in the future. But it is more likely to be finished in 2007 or 2008 than in 2006. One of the outstanding issues is expropriations of Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) and Thessaloniki harbor property.
