A programmatic agreement for the new alignment and improvement of the Old Athens-Thebes National Road, specifically the Mandra-Erythres section, with a budget of 32.4 million euros, was signed by the Attica Regional Governor, Nikos Hardalias, and the contracting company.

The project, totaling 11.06 km in length, is deemed essential not only for enhancing road safety and improving traffic but also for flood prevention in the area. The aim is to prevent extreme events like those of November 2017, which claimed numerous lives in the region.

The contract was signed during an event titled “Roads Leading Us into Tomorrow”, held at the Western Attica Regional Unit in Elefsina. This was followed by a site visit to the project’s starting point in the Nea Zoi area of the Mandra-Idyllia Municipality (Kriekouki). In a brief speech, the regional governor highlighted the project’s significance for the area’s safety and development, emphasizing Attica’s commitment to implementing a comprehensive plan for mitigating extreme weather events and upgrading infrastructure.

“Today marks a new era for Western Attica. Through this project, we are paving the roads that lead us into the future. The 2017 tragedy in Mandra reminds us of the importance of timely measures to protect people and infrastructure.

The Old Athens-Thebes National Road suffered massive damage back then due to its placement within the Suros Stream’s floodplain. Today, with a fully updated route incorporating modern hydrological data, we aim to ensure such tragic events are never repeated.

The Attica Region is committed to investing in projects that protect, upgrade, and enhance the lives and properties of its citizens. We are here to deliver on flood prevention and road safety while bolstering the developmental prospects and well-being of the local community,” the governor stated.

The project, with a budget of 32.4 million euros, is part of the Regional Program “Attica 2021-2027”. It is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is expected to be completed within 42 months.

Upon completion, the project will:

• Ensure the road is independent of extreme flooding behaviors from the Suros Stream.
• Prevent the loss of human lives during extreme weather events.
• Improve traffic conditions.
• Enhance the connection between Mandra and Erythres, widening the roadway.
• Create development opportunities and boost the regional economy.

The contract outlines the construction of three sections:

1. 3.65 km (north of the Old Athens-Thebes National Road),
2. 1.05 km (with a single carriageway of uniform pavement),
3. 6.36 km (including three level intersections and a bridge).

Additionally, the project includes:

• Regulation of the Suros and Skylorema streams.
• Construction of 40 underground transverse drainage structures.
• Two bridges, each 37 meters long and 13 meters wide.
• A cut-and-cover tunnel, 144 meters long.
• Reforestation of 408 stremmas in the “Fikthi” area of Mandra.

The signing ceremony was attended by:

• Vice-President of the Parliament and MP for Western Attica, Athanasios Bouras,
• Western Attica MPs Evangelos Liakos and Athanasios Drenis,
• The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Director, George Kotsiras,
• Mayors from Elefsina, Mandra-Idyllia, Megara, Fyli, and Aspropyrgos.

Other attendees included deputy regional governors, the executive secretary, close associates of the regional governor, and representatives of the contractor company ELTERGA S.A.