Athens-Thessaloniki highway remains closed at the height of flooded Thessaly in Central Greece also on Thursday, September 14, 2023, due to flood water and mud.
Authorities suggest the highway may open to traffic on upcoming Saturday or maybe on Sunday, September 16-17.
Essentially, Greece is cut in two, since the highway is one of the major central arteries of the country and its large part is closed to traffic since September 9. At the moment, there is no official information on the date it will be given back to traffic, as the water remains on the roadway.
It is also unknown how the water will drain from the road surface, as well as in what condition the asphalt is in and how the flood affected it regarding with regards to corrosion.
Yesterday, Wednesday, authorities reported that it will take another 48 hours to remain closed. So, in an optimistic scenario, the motorway can be reopened from Friday 15 September.
What is certain is that the Athens-Thessaloniki highway cannot be opened unless special teams conduct investigations and controls on the spot as parts of the highway are considered as possible dangerous to drive one.
Alternative routes
Until the highway is safely opened to traffic again, professional drivers, as well as citizens who want to travel from Thessaloniki to Athens and vice versa, will have to find an alternative route.
The safest route via a central motorway and not via provincial network – which can also be in a bad state – is the Ionia Odos, Athens – Patras via the Rio – Antirrio bridge and then the highway Egnatia Ioannina – Thessaloniki and vice versa .
The alternative route is a long journey of additional 280 km and lasts almost 7 hours and has a higher fuel cost.
Toll-free passage
It is reminded that those who follow this route will have free tolls, according to recent announcement by Infrastructure & Transport Minister Christos Staikouras.
The measure was originally thought until Thursday, September 14 at 6 a.m. but it could be extended until Athens-Thessaloniki traffic is fully restored.
The toll-free passage of vehicles: from the tolls on the Rio-Antirio Bridge “Charilaos Trikoupis”, at the Egnatia Road toll road between Thessaloniki and the intersection with Ionia Road, along Ionian Road and the E65 highway in both directions.
In addition, toll-free is reportedly also the passage also from the tolls of the “Aegean” highway, in the section from Nikaia to the Maliakos Gulf (Pelasgia), including the tolls on the side roads in the area in question.
Note that a part of Larissa-Trikala highway was opened to traffic on Wednesday.
Yesterday I called the number that opened for information about the floods and traffic around Larissa, from the police. The number is 00302410-621578 when you call from abroad. They are very helpfull! Compliments for the police of Larissa! They could not tell and promise when the highway opens. They only gave me suggestions for alternative routes from Thessaloniki to Volos. The first and longest one was Thessaloniki-Grevena-Kalambaka-Trikala-Karditsa-Larissa-Volos. But they suggested me also a significant shorter one! Thessaloniki-Katerini-Ellasoni-Tyrnavos-Larissa-Volos! I will call that number again tomorrow. One weird thing: Google Maps still shows Giannouli-Larissa as being blocked. The police from Larissa (and friends who live in Larissa and informed me) say that this road is open! It is soo difficult to get correct information!! I will end up in Koropi (Pilion). Google Maps says that the Belley bridge (just before Koropi) is blocked. For almost a week now there is a military bridge, so traffic can run!! Once again compliments to the Larissa police to open a telephone number for informations. When I told them that I read in the newspapers that in 2 days the highway will be open, they answered: the newspapers write whatever they want! Keeptalkinggreece thanks for updates and photo’s!
thankgoodnes, we’re blog/website … next time, remind them it’s gov’t officials who mostly leak info to give ‘hope’ to the folks.
Today (15.09.23) I found this Information on the website of the Aegean motorway company:
“Today at 17:00, the section of the Aegean Motorway, between Sykouri Motorway and Gyrtoni Motorway, which was blocked due to the overflowing of the Pinios River, is open to traffic in both directions, with the agreement of the competent bodies and the Hellenic Police.
Traffic will be conducted from the left lane in both directions exclusively for vehicles. cars and vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons.
For heavy vehicles, there will be another announcement at a later time based on the evolution of the phenomenon and the possibility of completing checks on the body of the road, which remains flooded in the disputed area.”
– (https://www.aegeanmotorway.gr/αποδίδεται-σήμερα-στην-κυκλοφορία-το/ (15.09.23 – 16:30) )
Given that information, I assume that the motorway between Larissa and Thessaloniki and viceversa will be at least open on one lane from today 17:00?! Let’s hope for the best! Safe travels to everyone…