The importance of the construction and maintenance of modern highways for the economic development of the country, the creation of new jobs, the strengthening of road safety, but also of social cohesion, was underlined by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, at the annual Conference of the International Association of Bridges, Tunnels and Motorways (IBTTA), held in Athens.

As the minister noted, “the importance of highway development is fundamental for both society and the economy, while it is also an excellent field for integrating new technologies with “intelligent” transport systems.

These systems offer high-quality services to users and, at the same time, contribute to the extroversion of the national transport system, through the interoperability they can acquire with similar systems in other countries.”

Mr. Staikouras highlighted the progress that has been made in the field of highway construction over the last 25 years in our country with the development of a network of “road arteries with a total length of 2.5 thousand kilometers with toll stations, which includes more than 300 kilometers of tunnels and bridges’, highlighting the important contribution of the private sector to it.

Finally, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport made special reference to the issue of the interoperability of electronic tolls in our country, which has been fully implemented for three years, allowing drivers to travel on all highways with only one transceiver.

The following is the full text of Mr. Staikouras’ greeting translated into Greek:

Infrastructure in the transport sector is a decisive factor for the economic development of a country, but also an important indicator of culture.

They exploit a high level of resources in the stage of construction and maintenance, create more favorable conditions for the expansion of commercial activity, create new jobs and strengthen social cohesion.

In addition, the construction of a modern highway network is a key pillar of road safety, which is a top priority of our government, in the context of the European “Vision Zero”, to eliminate the number of victims from traffic accidents by 2050.

The importance, therefore, of the development of highways is fundamental for both society and the economy, while it is also an excellent field for the integration of new technologies with “intelligent” transport systems.

These systems offer high-quality services to users and, at the same time, contribute to the extroversion of the national transport system, through the interoperability they can acquire with similar systems in other countries.

Over the last 25 years in Greece we have developed a network of road arteries with a total length of 2.5 thousand kilometers with toll stations, which includes more than 300 kilometers of tunnels and bridges.

In fact, the interoperability system of electronic tolls has been fully implemented in our country for three years now, as drivers travel on all highways with a transceiver.

It is a typical example of the effective cooperation of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport with “HELASSTRON” (Hellenic Motorway Association: Hellenic Infrastructure and Toll Roads).

We are making a joint effort to shape a national highway network that promotes road safety, ensures the sustainability of road transport and responds to critical environmental challenges.

In this direction, the contribution of the private sector is very important, through its participation in the construction and operation of this road network, with the highest European technical specifications.

Concession programs that introduced numerous innovations in the field of operation, offering road safety, reliability, but also comfort in every trip.

Moreover, it is a cooperative scheme that has proven its adaptability and flexibility on critical issues such as toll costs.

The latter must meet the needs of the implementation and the maintenance obligation of the projects, taking into account the financial commitments, the macroeconomic environment, the economic conditions and the need for social cohesion.

IBTTA, together with ASECAP (European Association of Toll Road Infrastructure Operators) and HELLASTRON play a key role in improving the transport of people and goods in Europe and America.

Therefore, HELLASTRON’s participation in the International Association of Bridges-Tunnels and Highways is of great importance, as it ensures access to the best international practices in tolling matters, following the standard technological solutions applied in Europe, but also in the USA.

In fact, the promotion of the Greek presidency in IBTTA proves the progress that has been made in our country in this specific field. At the same time, it is a rare opportunity to expand our capabilities.

Based on the above, I am sure that this Summit will be an excellent opportunity for a constructive exchange of views and practices.