Accelerated Project Work for Second Bridge Between Turkey and Greece

Project work on a new bridge connecting Turkey and Greece is nearing completion, according to a top official. Approval of the project will be followed by preparations for the construction tender.

The new bridge, planned over the Maritsa (Meriç) River, aims to enhance transportation and infrastructure between the two countries, building on a period of improved bilateral relations despite occasional political tensions. The bridge will connect the Ipsala border gate in Turkey with the Kipi border gate in Greece.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated, "Once the projects are approved, we will begin preparations for the construction tender. This bridge will ease transportation and boost trade between the two countries."

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in Athens on January 22, 2004, for a new highway border crossing bridge in the Ipsala-Kipi area. Uraloğlu noted that Greece committed to undertaking the bridge project, with significant progress made since a decision on June 10, 2006. The project work is expected to be completed this year.

The 841-meter-long (2,759.19 feet) bridge, designed as an "extradosed" structure, will replace an older bridge from 1958 that can no longer handle increased traffic. The new bridge will have four lanes, enhancing connectivity not only between Türkiye and Greece but also along the Thessaloniki-Sofia-Berlin route and the Pan-European Corridor, providing a link to the Balkan countries via the Egnatia Motorway.

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