done “the first phase of works to restore the cracks and at the same time reinforce with reinforcement in the problematic point of the two tendons of the bridge of Servia”, emphasized in today’s press conference the regional governor of Western Macedonia Giorgos Kasapidis.

According to Mr. Kasapidis, in the next period, at this particular point he will “a special splint is placed which will minimize the local strain that the two problematic tendons receive at points”, while the works on the deck of the bridge will also proceed so that the rainwater will be arranged in such a way that it “does not erode the points of the tendons”. He explained that immediately after, the crews carrying out the work will proceed with the detailed inspection of the remaining 48 tendons of the bridge and “where problems are observed, we will proceed with their restoration”.

The regional governor of Western Macedonia he appeared optimistic about the completion time of the work, saying that “if there are no problems in other parts of the tendons of the bridge, the work could be completed in two months, as stated in our initial estimate.”

He said that the funding was secured at the recent meeting held at the Ministry of Infrastructure 2.5 million euros for the overall maintenance study of the bridge and after the tender documents are updated it will be made public.

He stated that “the financial loss of businesses, of professionals and groups of producers in the primary sector is important due to the closure of the bridge” and that is why it was decided to have a record of businesses and professionals that fall into this category so that “we can ask the central government for assistance against the losses that they have undergone”. He explained, however, that in order to do this, there should be a legislative regulation that provides for this category of financial aid.

At the same time, he said that he is progressing at a faster pace study update for the completion of the construction of the Kozani – Rymnio road, with funding secured by the previous regional administration, in order “to have an alternative route, even when the maintenance work on the Serbian Bridge is completed”.

Referring to the issue of the exclusion of Cooperatives from the support programs of the Just Transition Fund, he urged the local cooperative organizations to set up new legal entities that would overcome the problems arising from the tax arrears of the members of the cooperatives, when they had to be joined by national and European resources .