Thessaloniki's long-awaited Flyover project, an elevated expressway expected to ease chronic congestion in Greece's second largest city, is now approaching the halfway point, with government officials insisting it will be completed within the approved timetable.
Speaking on site against the backdrop of a newly activated blue launching gantry, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas said the project would be finished "in 14-15 months from today". He described the Flyover as "the most innovative and pioneering project in our country, and not only", signalling its broader significance for Greek infrastructure development.
Two massive movable formwork systems are central to the acceleration strategy. The first, an orange gantry installed around a year ago, "has already covered 500 metres", Dimas noted. The second, blue in colour, has now entered operation and "is starting its route and will significantly accelerate" construction. The mechanisms speed up the concrete works required for the elevated highway's deck.
Deputy Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos said works are progressing at a particularly fast pace and reiterated that the aim is to deliver on time. "This project will change Thessaloniki," he said, adding, light-heartedly, that since the two main consortium partners are Thessaloniki natives, they understand the urgency and may push ahead even further than scheduled. The managing director of AVAX, Konstantinos Mitzalis, responded in the same tone, joking that he had been "challenged" and that, "if we can, we will go a little faster".
METKA chief executive Dinos Benroubi underlined that the project is "almost at 50%" completion and expressed confidence it will be delivered on time now that the second gantry is active. Infrastructure Secretary General Dimitris Anagnopoulos said progress has exceeded 45% and can accelerate further, adding that developments confirm the project can be completed within the approved timeframe.
Attention is also turning to the Kalamaria extension of the Thessaloniki metro. Dimas said construction work is expected to be completed within the next 2.5-3 months, followed by required test runs, with the line likely to open to passengers in spring 2026. He also noted that the main metro line will briefly close again for final safety system tests. As of today, normal early morning metro services have resumed, with first trains departing at 05:30 and operations ending at 23:00.
By Kostas Kechagias - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
