Funding announced for new border bridge between Greece and Türkiye at Kipi–Ipsala

The long-anticipated construction of a new cross-border bridge connecting Greece and Türkiye at the Kipi–Ipsala border crossing is officially moving forward. The Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has issued a formal notice of funding intent, earmarking €67.5 million in public expenditure for the project.

This amount pertains to the section of the bridge that will be constructed by the Greek side. The official project title is: Construction of the 2nd Cross-Border Bridge at the Kipi–Ipsala Border Crossing.

Key Features of the Project:
The new bridge will be a three-span cable-stayed structure, with a total length of 811 meters, of which 344 meters fall within Greek territory and 291 meters within Turkish territory.

It will be constructed a few dozen meters away from the existing Kipi bridge.

The bridge will feature two traffic lanes per direction, an emergency lane, and sidewalks on both sides.

The official name of the structure is the “Bridge of Friendship and Trust – Kipi–Ipsala.”

The project will be executed in two separate construction contracts, one by Greece and one by Türkiye, each covering the segment within their respective territories. The Egnatia Odos S.A. will oversee the Greek portion, having already prepared the necessary studies, in collaboration with the Turkish General Directorate of Highways (KGM) for the Turkish side.

The existing bridge, currently serving as the primary road connection between the two countries, was inaugurated in June 1954 and has been in operation since 1964.

Strategic Importance:
This new infrastructure is expected to significantly boost bilateral connectivity. It will link Greece and Türkiye via the Pan-European Corridor IV (Berlin–Sofia–Thessaloniki), and further integrate Türkiye with Corridor X and the Balkan region through the Egnatia Odos motorway, delivering major economic and logistical benefits to Greece.