I am of course referring to the Flyover, the mile-long bridge being built over the existing ring road, a project that is changing the face of the city by radically altering the traffic map.
It is the first time that the society and citizens of Thessaloniki have seen such a large project, progressing at such a fast pace, and with visible progress in real time. And this is particularly significant, given the city’s past and the experience of the Thessaloniki metro, which for years was a symbol of delays and mistrust.
Today, the picture is different. Screws are working non-stop, day and night, and the projectis unfolding at a pace that impresses even the most skeptical. Of course, the price is real: the bypass has been narrowed, lanes have been closed, and traffic has been severely impacted, causing frustration and delays. However, unlike in the past, reactions are more muted, precisely because progress is visible.
The significance of the project is not limited to the current inconvenience, but extends to the overall upgrade of the city, as the Flyover is expected to significantly reduce commute times, improve road safety, declutter downtown, and create a more modern and functional daily life for residents and visitors.
If the schedules – which so far have been exceeded – are met, for the first time Thessaloniki won’t be talking about delays, but about a huge project completed correctly and on time.
