New pedestrian bridge at Kamisiana

A pedestrian bridge is to be constructed alongside the road bridge at Skoutelonas on the old national road near Kamisiana, where the road narrows and there is no pavement for pedestrians. As the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris pointed out to a NeaTV reporter, this is an area much frequented by tourists in the summer as there are many hotels along the beach front. Families with beach gear and pushing infants in baby carriages can regularly be seen negotiating the bridge in summer, sharing the road with buses and cars, and there have been a number of minor accidents. A solution to the problem has been a long-standing demand of local residents and hotels.

The bridge at Skoutelonas
The bridge at Skoutelonas, where a metal pedestrian bridge is to be constructed alongside the roadway. Photo: NeaTV/YouYube.

A contract for the construction of the metal bridge, which will be on the north side of the road, was signed on 14th November by the Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis, at the offices of the Regional Unit of Chania. Also present were the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris, the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis, and Regional Councillor Sofia Malandraki. The budget for the project is €200,000 and it is expected to be completed within 6 months.

Signing of the pedestrian bridge contract
The signing of the contract for the pedestrian bridge at Kamisiana. Chania 14th November. Those present include the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis (3rd from left) the Regional Governor for Crete Stavros Arnautakis (centre), the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris and Regional Councillor Sofia Malandraki (3rd and 2nd from right).

On 15th November the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis made a site visit with the contractor to identify the exact location of the bridge, and the presence of passing traffic emphasised the hazards of the location. A video of the event can be seen here.