Rion–Antirion bridge celebrates fifteenth anniversary

13 August 2019 - Events - Greece

In Greece, Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge, designed, financed and built by VINCI Highways (VINCI Concessions) under a contract that also provides for 42 years of operation and maintenance, is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year.

Built with VINCI Construction Grands Projets, Freyssinet and Sixense (all VINCI Construction subsidiaries), along with Eurovia, the bridge was opened to traffic in 2004. It is 3 km long and enables drivers to complete the journey between the Peloponnese region and mainland Greece in just five minutes, compared with 45 minutes by ferry in years gone by. The structure is designed to resist extreme conditions, particularly earthquake risks. The bridge can also be used by pedestrians, who can enjoy a spectacular view as they walk over the Gulf of Corinth.
Offering improved mobility and an easier crossing, the bridge has been recognised as having a positive impact on the region’s economic, social and tourism development. In western Greece, for example, tourism has grown at more than 6% a year over the past 10 years.