Ferhat calls for action on road safety in Rhodope mountain villages

A €430,000 road infrastructure project has been prepared for routes serving villages in the mountainous part of Rhodope, following concerns over road safety and damage caused by severe winter rainfall.

The Greek Interior Ministry provided the information in response to a parliamentary question submitted by Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat concerning the condition of roads in the area. The project covers the Kalenderköy (Kalenderkoy)–Kozdere and Gerdeme–Keziren routes, with funding including VAT.

According to the ministry, the project is intended to repair damage to roads and related infrastructure caused by heavy rainfall during the previous winter. Funding is expected to be secured shortly, with the tender planned for 2026 and construction scheduled to begin in 2027.

MILLIONS OF EUROS ALLOCATED FOR RHODOPE

The ministry also said that €5.52 million is planned for the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Region in 2026, while €2.25 million is earmarked for municipalities within the Rhodope Regional Unit under investment expenditure.

The response also referred to funding provided through the Filodimos II programme and a €2.14 million road-safety project being implemented by Gümülcine Municipality.

WIND FARM CONNECTION WORKS AFFECTED SOME ROADS

The ministry said construction associated with connecting the Frouros wind farm in the Aralık Burun (Mitikas) area to the electricity grid had caused damage and deficiencies on sections of the Kalenderköy (Kalenderkoy)–Kardere, Yanıköy and Payamdere roads.

Authorities issued a written warning to the contractor on July 6, 2026. As of August 11, reinstatement work had been completed along 5.5 kilometers of sections affected by trenching, while approximately one kilometer had been resurfaced, according to the ministry.

Resurfacing of the Kalenderköy (Kalenderkoy)–Kardere road was scheduled for completion in September.

FERHAT: ROAD SAFETY CANNOT BE POSTPONED

Ferhat welcomed the €430,000 project but said the key issue was turning announced funding and plans into actual work on the ground.

“The project’s funding needs to be secured, the tender needs to be held and the work needs to begin without delay,” Ferhat said.

He stressed that residents of mountainous areas need roads that are safe and usable and said he would closely monitor whether the announced projects and commitments are implemented.