The new Keritis bridge open to traffic

On Monday 21st July, the new bridge over the Keritis river at Alikianos was opened to traffic in the presence of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, the deputy minister Nikos Tachiaos and the General Secretary for Infrastructure Dimitris Anagnopoulou.

The new Keritis bridge from the air.
The new Keritis bridge seen from the air. The remaining span of the old stone bridge which was destroyed in the floods of 2019 is visible in the background.

Declaring the bridge open, the minister Christos Dimas said:
“We are in the happy position of opening the Keritis bridge to traffic, fulfilling a very important requirement of the local community. Along with the contractor, we worked together with the mayor, the local MPs and the Regional Authority to achieve today’s result. This was a project with a budget of €6.7 million. The bridge is 85.1 metres long with an adjoining roundabout, and there were significant interventions in the positioning of the riverbed, the supports and embankments, plumbing and electric lighting to ensure that we have a safe and functional bridge, which unites the road network of Chania with that of Omalos, making travel by road much easier and safer.”

Top: The approach to the bridge is via a roundabout – complete with road markings for drivers who are unfamiliar with the concept. Bottom: The Church was on hand to bless the new bridge. Photos: KritiTV/YouTube.

The roundabout approach, and the ceremony of blessing.

There was a festive atmosphere as the the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas (centre) cut the ribbon to open the bridge, aided by (from the left): Chania MP Alexandros Makrogiannakis, deputy Immigration Minister and Chania MP Sevi Voloudaki, Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis, the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis , Chania MP Dora Bakogianni and Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris. Photo: ERTNews.gr.

As regards the restoration of the historic stone bridge of Keritis, which collapsed in the floods of 25th February 2019, Mr Dimas said that there are preliminary studies in place and the aim of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is to complete the plans for the restoration as soon as possible, since the promotion of the country’s cultural heritage is a policy of the government of New Democracy.

Mr Dimas wished the bridge “kalo riziko” ( good luck) – the customary expression when someone buys something new or embarks on a new project – saying: “The aim of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is for us to have sustainable, resilient and safe infrastructure throughout the country and I believe that we are doing this today with the bridge of Keritis.” Photo: KritiTV/YouTube.

Christos Dimas

Among those present at the inauguration ceremony for the new bridge were the Chania MP and deputy minister of Immigration and Asylum Sevi Voloudaki, Chania MPs Dora Bakogianni and Alexandros Markogiannakis, the Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis, the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris and the mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis. The project cost of €6.7 million was met from the Public Expenditure Programme
(www.ertnews.gr)