Pedestrians and cars can now safely cross the railway lines that pass through Ampelokipi-Menemeni, in the city of Thessaloniki, northern Greece, thanks to an EU-funded project. The construction of two new underpasses has improved traffic flow between the northern and southern parts of the city.
New railway underpasses improve traffic flow and road safety in Thessaloniki, Greece
- 29 October 2020
The completion of the two underpasses represents an effort to enhance the safe passage of the railway network through Thessaloniki. It is an example of blending functionality and safety with the minimum possible obstruction for citizens, traffic and city life in general.
The new underpasses have been constructed on a large terrain on Karantinou street, adjacent to the railway lines. A new, 586 m asphalted road, called Menemeni street, leads up to the underpasses. Menemeni street is connected, by a marked junction, to Monastiriou street, an important road that runs parallel to the railway lines in and out of the city centre.
Two new underpasses
The vehicle underpass is 90 m long. After having crossed the railway lines, it runs parallel to the lines until it reaches Agías Paraskevís street.
The pedestrian underpass is 48 m long, with an entrance that resembles the shape of a Greek theatre. Is has patches of grass, trees, a central staircase and ramps for cyclists and people with physical disabilities. On the other side of the underpass, a trenched road has been constructed. It has lights installed along both walls, and leads back up to the main road.
During construction, maintenance and restoration works were carried out on the existing railway lines. This included installation of new signalling equipment, renovation of the rainwater drainage system and utility networks.
With improved road conditions, the new underpasses have substantially improved traffic flow. Pedestrians and vehicles can now cross the railway lines in safety.
Improved safety, better traffic flow
The underpasses replace the existing level crossing on Agías Paraskevís street. This was the only way to get over the railway lines between the underpass just before Thessaloniki Railway Station, approximately 2.5 km to the east, and another on Agamemnon street, in the municipality of Evosmos, approximately 1.1 km to the west.
The Agías Paraskevís level street crossing often experienced significant traffic jams, and was unsafe for pedestrians.
The railway lines through Ampelokipi-Menemeni are the only ones in and out of the city centre. They form an important link between Thessaloniki and the cities of Florina in the north-west and Katerini in the south-west.
While the railway lines interrupt the continuity of the municipality’s urban fabric, the underpasses have restored smooth passage of pedestrians, vehicles and trains.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Construction of Down Crossing of railway lines of Agia Paraskevi - Municipality of Menemeni Thessaloniki” is EUR 14 314 560, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 8 312 235 through the “Transport Infrastructure, Environment and Sustainable Development - Greece” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “promoting sustainable transport and removing bottlenecks in key network infrastructures”.