Highway Section “Karditsa – Arta”, Thessaly, Greece

Technical Details

The project upgrades the “Karditsa – Arta” Provincial Road, connecting “Patra-Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzoni“ highway and Western Ionian Road from Oxyá to Argithea via a tunnel. It improves the existing road geometry by widening the roadway and increasing curve radii. It consists of three sections:

1. Trigona Bridge – Drakotrypa Intersection (approx. 5.5 km)
2. Tympano Tunnel & Access Roads (approx. 4.6 km)
3. Archaeological Site Bypass in Argithea (approx. 0.7 km)

The 1^st section includes Trigona Bridge. The new bridge is necessary to span the existing stream. Initially, the bridge was planned at the current location, but due to future flooding from a dam in Mouzaki, it was relocated outside the flood zone. It is a single-span structure, measuring 31 m in length and 9.5 m in width. The deck consists of a pre-stressed concrete hollow box, supported by abutments with bearings. To ensure stability and durability, a deep foundation with piles has been implemented.

The 2^nd section includes the Tympano Tunnel, 1.5 km long and 9.5 m wide, excavated with the New Austrian Tunneling Method (ΝΑΤΜ). The “Cut & Cover” method is implemented at the entrances of the tunnel and 2 parallel escape tunnels are planned. The natural ground elevation along the tunnel alignment ranges from +1282m in the east to +1260m in the west, peaking at approx. +1613m at the maximum overburden location. The tunnel exits at Zarbakouli stream, where a 6m x 5m box structure ensures safe passage. Two Buildings for E/M installations in the area of the East and West portals are designed.