Pedestrian Bridge Improves Access to Piraeus Harbor

Last month the new pedestrian bridge in Piraeus was inaugurated. The new bridge spans the busy road and connects passengers emerging from the train station in Piraeus with the ferry boats in the harbor.

The 40-meter-wide bridge, funded by the Port Authority (OLP), cost about 2.6 million euros and stands five meters above the road to allow for large vehicles. Escalators at each end ease access to the bridge and elevators are available for people with disabilities. “Pireaus’ new pedestrian bridge, a project that has won an international architecture award, will serve millions of passengers every year,” said Manolis Kefalogiannis, minister of merchant marine at the ceremony. Statistics released by the ministry indicate that during the busy summer season more than 2.5 million people cross the road at this location at a rate of about 2,800 people per hour.

The bridge is the first of a series of projects to renovate Piraeus. The minister briefly mentioned the other improvement projects underway including an exhibition center, a new building for the ministry of merchant marine scheduled to open this month, and the Drapetsona project.