Image Credits - Daily Sabah
Turkey and Greece have recently agreed to collaborate on the construction of a second bridge over the Maritsa River, signifying a significant advancement in their bilateral cooperation. This development follows President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Athens, during which both nations reaffirmed their commitment to working together in various sectors, including energy and tourism.
The upcoming bridge, designed as a short pylon extra-dosed bridge with 2×2 lanes on a single deck, will have main spans measuring 110-180-110 meters (361-591-361 feet). The project will be divided into separate tenders for the Turkish and Greek sides. The construction is scheduled to commence from the Ipsala customs exit and conclude at the Kipi customs entrance, covering a distance of 1,500 meters.
Although the existing Ipsala-Kipi Bridge, constructed in 1958, does not have any structural issues, it has become inadequate due to the growing volume of heavy vehicle traffic and the influx of tourists. Hence, the need for a new bridge has arisen.
The decision to jointly construct a second road border crossing bridge in the Ipsala-Kipi border crossing area was formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in Athens on January 22, 2004. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between Turkey and Greece on June 10, 2006, with Greece taking responsibility for the bridge project. On April 4, 2014, a protocol was signed, specifying the precise location of the bridge.
The OPIPK, also known as the Joint Planning and Monitoring Project Committee, was established to conduct evaluations in collaboration with the Greek side at a technical level. Since its formation in 2018, the committee has held several meetings. Through these meetings, it was collectively agreed upon that the distance between the bridge deck and the river surface should be 10 meters.
Additionally, it was decided to initiate separate tenders for the construction of the bridge on both the Greek and Turkish sides. Furthermore, a joint inspection group will be established to oversee the contractors from both sides during the construction process.
This project signifies a significant milestone in the cooperation between Greece and Turkey, showcasing the improving relations between the two nations.
The construction of the second bridge over the Maritsa (Meriç) River represents a significant milestone for both Türkiye and Greece. This infrastructure project is poised to have a transformative impact on transportation and trade between the two nations, particularly considering the growing volume of heavy vehicle traffic and the influx of tourists in the region. Moreover, this endeavour is expected to spur economic growth by bolstering sectors such as transportation, the environment, small and medium-sized enterprises, and tourism.
Additionally, the bridge serves as a tangible symbol of deepening bilateral relations, underscoring the renewed commitment of both countries to collaborate across various domains. Ultimately, the practical advantages of this initiative will directly enhance the daily lives and experiences of citizens in both Türkiye and Greece.