2024-05-02 19:36:44
The request of the Region of Thessaly to participate leads to the modification of the programming contract, approved on Holy Tuesday, between the Region of Epirus and the Ministry of Culture, for the construction of a new single-arched bridge next to the old Korakou Bridge in the Achelou Valley.
As the regional governor Alexandros Kahrimanis announced, he received a relevant request from the regional governor of Thessaly Dimitris Kouretas, in order to participate, also with the amount of 100,000 euros, like the other agencies, in the study and the project in general.
This development partially satisfies the regional faction “Kiono ton Epirotes”, which both at the meeting of the Regional Committee, where the decision was taken, and with its announcement, requested the participation of the Region of Thessaly. At the same time, however, he requested that every possibility of rebuilding the old bridge be exhausted, as happened in the case of the Plaka Bridge, while reminding that corresponding decisions had already been taken in 2019, during the government of Al. Tsipras, but were abandoned by the next government.
The then Minister of Infrastructure Christos Spirtzis, after having proceeded with a series of actions, signed a memorandum of cooperation for the programmatic contract for the reconstruction of the historical Korakou Bridge, at the Offices of the European Parliament in Athens, together with the Ministers of Finance and Culture, the E.M.P. , the regional governors of Epirus and Thessaly and the mayors G. Karaiskakis and Argithea, while 16.5 million euros were pledged from the Public Investment Program for the restoration of the Korakou Bridge and the regeneration of the area.
“It took five years of inaction by the government and parliamentary scrutiny on the matter by Artas deputy Olgas Gerovasilis to decide on the reconstruction of the historic bridge, in a different location from the original one. We welcome, even now, this decision and we gave a positive vote to the Regional Committee, pointing out that the contribution of the Region of Thessaly is also necessary. However, we would like to see the restoration of the Korakou bridge in its original position, as was done with the Plaka Bridge that collapsed due to floods on 02.02.2015, but with the personal dedication of Alexis Tsipras and the SYRIZA government, which quickly carried out all necessary energy and ensured the financing of the project, with the dedication and passion of all those who worked for its restoration (scientists, technicians and artisans) it was finally restored”, the announcement states.