Upgrading of Kipoi Border Station in Evros – Tender announced
The project for the upgrading of the Kipi Border Station in Evros, a key road connection point between Greece and Türkiye, is set to move forward. After the modification of the strategic agreement between the Ministry of the Interior and the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia – Thrace, which is responsible for implementing the project, the Hellenic Public Asset Development Fund (TAIPED), responsible for the tendering process, has announced the competition. The deadline for submitting offers is February 10, 2025.
The Kipi Border Station, the third busiest station in the country with approximately one million vehicle crossings annually, was constructed in the 1970s. Its facilities, both buildings and surrounding areas, show signs of wear and tear, as do many parts of the roadway. The station has three main crossings towards Turkey, while the Turkish side has four, leading to delays during peak times. Additionally, the buildings, including the heavy vehicle control building, are inoperable for their intended use, and prefabricated containers (ISOBOX) are used for customs and passport checks.
The intervention, with a total budget of 13 million euros, is part of the broader plan to redesign Greece's main border entry/exit points. It includes the architectural and energy upgrade of existing facilities and infrastructures, roadworks with the reorganization of activities, and ensuring necessary conditions for improving passport, customs, phytosanitary, and veterinary checks.
The project will not only improve the appearance of Greece’s border gateway but also reduce waiting times, improving the service of cross-border checks, which is expected to boost tourism in Northern Greece. It will also help the country comply with European Union regulations concerning the cross-border transport of people and goods.
Additional Crossings, New Buildings, and Road Connections
The project will extend the Kipi Border Station’s infrastructure to the north, creating a new independent vehicle control line for international freight transport, capable of accommodating oversized and heavy loads, which until now have crossed from Türkiye to Greece through the opposite lane.
A new perimeter road will be constructed, approximately one kilometer long, connecting to the village of Gemisti, and a section of the old road, 500 meters long, will be reconstructed and widened to serve the new vehicle control line for freight transport from Türkiye to Greece. There will also be pavement replacement on 13.5 acres of the station area and the development of three parking spaces.
The project also includes the construction of new buildings for phytosanitary and veterinary controls, with refrigeration chambers, laboratory spaces, offices, and sanitary areas. Additionally, a new Narc Control building will be built, along with other required facilities (such as spaces for the training of service dogs). Two new passport control buildings and two new WC buildings will also be included.
Other infrastructure improvements include the construction of a disinfectant station, a weighbridge, a medium-voltage substation, and the creation of new facilities for passport and customs controls, as well as a covered space for vehicle checks using X-ray equipment. There will also be restoration and renovation of the old Narc Control building, converting it into a warehouse to serve the growing needs of the customs office, along with the addition of a new 100 square meter building.
Energy and aesthetic upgrades will be made to the existing buildings, improving functionality due to the new design for heavy vehicle crossings and the creation of additional lanes for passenger vehicles and buses.
Project Timeline
The project is expected to be completed within 14 months from the signing of the contract with the selected contractor.
