Nea Odos: 45 safe and protected parking spaces for heavy vehicles – 2024-07-12 20:49:40

In the presence of the Minister of Infrastructure & Transport Mr. Chr. Staikouras and the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure & Transport Mr. N. Tahiaou, as well as many representatives of the central and local government, the 4 new Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPAs) were inaugurated on the highways operated, maintained and managed by Nea Odos.

In particular, they start their pilot operation from today, at no cost to professional drivers:

• Two bilateral safe and protected areas, with 24 parking spaces for heavy vehicles at the Motorist Service Station (SEA) of Atalanti Fthiotida.
• Two additional, bilateral safe and protected spaces with 21 spaces at the Motorist Service Station (SEA) of Episcopal Ioannina.

All 4 sites (SSTPAs) have Silver certification according to the EU Study. on Safe and Protected Truck Parking Areas (MOVE/C1/2017-500).

At the SSTPAs in Atalanti and Episkopiko, professional drivers will be able to rest in the specially designed rest area, enjoy a coffee or a snack 24X7, take a hot bath, but also sleep in an absolutely guarded environment, without worrying regarding the security of themselves or the goods they transport.

The premises are fenced, lit, have an emergency telephone number and are supervised by trained staff 24/7. The entrance is controlled with bars, turnstiles and license plate recognition, while the possibility of charging refrigerated trucks is also offered. future, the provision of electric charging services and long-term parking spaces are being considered, as well as the expansion of the spaces with additional parking spaces.

The total investment for the creation, design and construction of the SSTPA exceeded 3.3 million euros and was implemented with co-financing from the European Union. The participation of Nea Odos covered 22.5% and amounted to €750,000.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras stated:

“These stations face an essential problem: the lack of safe and protected parking spaces for trucks and commercial vehicles in Greece. Therefore, with their operation, professional drivers are given the opportunity to take their planned break in places that have decent rest infrastructure, but also modern services. The rest of motorists, people who do a demanding, dangerous and tiring profession, as well as the organized parking of heavy vehicles, are two factors that contribute to improving the level of road safety. It is an investment of substance, which upgrades the road map of the country. A project that proves that the Ministry has the will, as well as the know-how, to collaborate with both the private sector and scientific bodies, in the implementation of projects and the introduction of technologies, which improve the level of services to the users of our national road network”.

The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for Infrastructure, Nikos Tachiaos noted:

“Today we are launching two projects which prove that the political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is consistently and continuously implementing actions to upgrade transport infrastructure and improve road safety, which were planned by the first Government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis in 2019 The creation of the heavy vehicle parking areas began in 2020. The project was mainly financed with funds from the European Union, as we included the construction of these Stations in the “Connecting Europe” (CEF) program with the aim of improving working conditions of professional drivers of heavy vehicles. A small part of the cost was covered by private individuals. With the new Parking Stations we have completed, we fill a significant gap that has existed until now in safe and protected parking spaces for trucks and commercial vehicles, thus contributing to the improvement of safety along the national road network. Professional drivers will be able to make use of the various facilities, such as modern rest areas, free Wi-Fi, TV use and changing rooms.

Mr. Rodianos Antonakopoulos, CEO of Nea Odos and Odos Central Greece stated among others:

“At Nea Odos, we have placed at the core of our operation and strategy, the implementation of projects that contribute to the promotion and upgrading of safety! It was therefore a clear desire and “one way” for us to participate in the project of the Ministry of Infrastructure, which aimed to address the lack of Safe and Protected Parking Spaces for Trucks in Greece (SSTPA). With this project we are contributing in practice to improving the safety of the country’s motorway network and improving the provision of services to professional drivers who have to face a multitude of challenges.

So today, 4 modern and protected truck parking areas are being inaugurated on the motorways managed by Nea Odos. Two spaces in the section of ATHE that we operate and in particular within SEA Atalantis on both sides and two others on Ionia Odos in SEA Episcopikos. With all the infrastructure and services to be categorized at the level SILVER in accordance with what the relevant EU legislation stipulates.

In closing, allow me to thank the Ministry and the competent services EYDE / KSEP and D17, the Hellenic Institute of Transport, the University of Patras and the University of Western Macedonia as well as all my colleagues at Nea Odos and the GEK TERNA Group for their cooperation and dedication to yet another important project.”