New road ensures better links between Greece and Bulgaria

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Bridge C7, tunnel S1 on the new road linking Dimari, Greece, with the Bulgarian border ©@ΕΥΔ/ΕΠ-ΥΜΕΠΕΡΑΑ

" The new road ensures cross-border mobility, better access as well as a safer and more reliable journey between Greece and Bulgaria. "

The other 4.25 km to be upgraded, which are not part of this project, will connect Dimari with Rudozem. The area is mountainous and difficult to access.

The new sections of road are expected to positively affect the development of commercial activities in the area and stimulate trade between the two countries thanks to a faster, safer, more comfortable connection.

Uniform speed and greater safety

The new 3.25 km road is between 7.5 m to 10.5 m wide and is connected to the existing Dimari junction. Because of the mountainous terrain, a speed limit of 60 km/h has been imposed. Three bridges about 300 m in total length and the two-way, 200 m-long Syini tunnel are being built along the new road.

These upgrades aim to ensure a standard cross-section of road and average speed along the Xanthi-Smolyan axis. In doing so, the project is improving cross-border mobility and contributing to stronger ties between the two countries.

The first 3.25 km section is co-funded by the EU’s Cohesion fund. The 4.25 km Dimario-Rudozem section is funded by the Interreg Greece-Bulgaria programme.

Connecting south-eastern Europe with northern Greece

The road that runs from Xanthi via Echinos to the Bulgarian border is 49 km long and part of Greece’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). It is one of nine vertical axes of the historic Egnatia road that connects the east coast of the Adriatic with the Balkans and, through these axes, south-eastern Europe with northern Greece.

The Greece-Bulgaria cross-border area is mountainous and difficult to navigate. Until recently, large parts of the cross-border axis road were in poor shape.

For the southern parts of the axis, from Xanthi in the south, to Dimari near the border, upgrades are planned to ensure a standard type of road and uniform speed for safe, reliable travel. On the Bulgarian side, the road between Rudozem and Smolyan will be upgraded as well.  

Total investment and EU funding 

Total investment for the project “Vertical Axis 70 Egnatia Road Xanthi-Echinos-Greek-Bulgarian Border: City Hall -Border Section” is EUR 10 780 849, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 7 201 429 through the “Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period.

Draft date