“Works for Macedonia”: Question about the works on the peri-urban street of Serron

The regional councilor of the “Actions for Macedonia” faction, Kelly Valtadorou, raised with her question to the PKK, the issue of the timely completion of the maintenance works on the peri-urban road of the city of Serres and its upgrade to a closed highway, as well as the construction of a side road network to serve transient uses.

He requests detailed information on the progress of the works, the “agreed maintenance specifications of the road surface”, if “there is a clear timetable for the restoration of the remaining section”, what actions have been taken “in order to secure funding and complete the project”, as and if “there is provision for upgrading the road to a closed highway”.

The question in detail:

TO:
1. District Governor K.M. Mr. Apostolos Tzizikostas
2. Deputy Regional Governor of Serres Regional Unit Mr. Panagioti Spyropoulos
3. Deputy Regional Governor for Infrastructure and Networks Mr. Parisi Billia
SUBJECT: MAINTENANCE WORKS ON THE ROAD OF SERRON AND
UPGRADE HER ON A CLOSED MOTORWAY

From April 7, 2024, the Serron commuter road, from the height of the Customs office to the Lefkona junction, remains closed due to road maintenance works.

This road is a part of the trans-European axis and of the Promachonas – Serres – Drama – Kavala axis and is essentially the connection of the prefecture of Serres, as a vertical axis, with the Thessaloniki – Serres – Promachonas road. Since the closure of the peri-urban road, all vehicles, both private and heavy vehicles (including large trucks, international transport vehicles, etc.) pass through D.K. Lefkona and then, mainly through one of the two most central streets of the city of Serres, namely Venizelou Street (or Polytechniou Street) heading towards Drama, but also through the extension of Merarchias Street, towards the Serres Railway Station.

It is, therefore, easy to see the huge burden on the urban fabric of the city of Serres and its surrounding areas, as well as the difficulty that is created, either in the daily life of the citizens, or in the orderly operation of the market, and in fact a few days before Easter (a situation which is aggravated due to the increased temperatures for the season and the consequent increased road traffic towards coastal areas).

Ask:
1. Has it been ensured that the work will actually be completed within the agreed time period, i.e. up to April 27? Are there any on-time project delivery clauses for the contracting company?

2. What are the agreed pavement maintenance specifications?
3. There will be a side road network to serve the pedestrians
uses and technical works (eg underpasses) to ensure communication
of the areas on either side of the road, as had been foreseen?
4. Is there a clear timetable for the restoration of the rest of the section, or will we re-auction for the rest, section by section, increasing the cost of project execution enormously?

5. Since 2012, when the environmental conditions were approved for the project to restore the entire road surface of the peri-urban road, what actions have you taken in order to secure financing and complete this project, which will upgrade the quality of life of citizens and highlight the geopolitical position of the prefecture of Serres as a whole or do we remain only in happy announcements, works without planning and showcase projects, offered only for photos, without long-term planning?

6. There is provision for upgrading the road to a closed highway, according to the study completed by Egnatia Odos SA. in 2015? This study provided for the conversion of the unfinished road, since 1997, into a closed highway, two lanes in each direction, LEA and a dividing island. Given the financial deterioration of P.E. Serres (according to official data from the country’s poorest prefectures) and the decisive contribution that a modern highway will have to economic development, in addition to the safety of citizens, are you looking for ways to finance the project? If so, is there a timetable for implementation? Yours sincerely
Kalliopi (Kelly) Valtadorou
Approx. Councilor of Central Macedonia
“Acts for Macedonia”.