A modern and safe project has been delivered to traffic, putting an end to a nearly nine-year backlog – The architectural lighting of the bridge with LED technology is also progressing

 

 

The new Kompsatos River bridge was opened to traffic today, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, restoring a vital connection for the Municipality of Iasmos and the wider Rhodope region.

This is a modern and highly demanding technical project, which enhances road safety, facilitates daily travel and puts an end to the long-standing suffering of the residents, professionals and producers of the area.

During the handover of the bridge, the Regional Governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Christodoulos Topsidis, emphasized that the project is not simply a new technical infrastructure, but restores a connection with essential social, economic and developmental importance.

"Today we are delivering to the citizens a project that the region has been waiting for for almost nine years. The new Kompsatos River bridge is not just another technical project. It restores a vital connection, enhances road safety and puts an end to the great suffering of the residents of the Municipality of Iasmos and the surrounding settlements," said the Regional Governor.

The collapse of part of the old bridge in September 2017 caused a serious transportation, economic and social problem. The daily life of citizens changed, travel became more difficult and access to the seat of the Municipality of Iasmos was significantly affected.

The path to completion of the project has been long. The contract for the design of the new bridge was signed in May 2019, the design was completed and received in March 2021, the tender was held in October of the same year and the construction contract was signed on May 18, 2022.

Mr. Topsides recalled that the "Regional Synthesis", already from the opposition position, had repeatedly highlighted the delays, had posed specific questions to the Regional Council and had requested a clear timetable for the safe and final restoration of the bridge.

"We made a commitment to the citizens that, as long as we were taking over the administration of the Region, we would closely monitor the progress of the project and do whatever was necessary to complete it and deliver it to society. Today, this commitment is being put into practice," he said.

The Regional Governor acknowledged that the project was designed, tendered and started by the previous regional administration, while also pointing out that the current administration has assumed responsibility to address the problems and delays, secure the necessary resources and lead the project to completion.

The new Kompsatos bridge has a total length of 114 meters and consists of three spans. Its deck has an 11-meter-wide roadway and sidewalks on both sides, each 2,25 meters wide.

Its superstructure is based on prefabricated prestressed concrete beams, while a deep foundation system with shaft piles and strong head ties was applied for the foundation of the piers.

The specific technical choices were made following interdisciplinary collaboration and a comprehensive geotechnical evaluation, so that the new infrastructure would meet the particular hydraulic conditions of the Kompsatos River and the modern requirements of safety, durability and functionality.

The new bridge is now a safe and permanent infrastructure, designed to serve the area for decades to come.

Architectural LED lighting – The bridge acquires its own nighttime identity

At the same time, the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace is proceeding with the procurement and installation of LED technology lighting fixtures for the lighting and architectural enhancement of the new bridge.

The design provides for discreet, modern and energy-efficient lighting, which will highlight the architecture and static form of the structure, without causing visual disturbance to drivers.

In particular, the lighting will highlight the uprights of the side parapets, the pillars and support columns, the internal longitudinal recesses of the structure, as well as the parapets along the deck.

The basic lighting composition will be based on white lighting, while dynamic RGB lighting will be installed in selected areas, with the ability to adjust the colors to national anniversaries, local holidays, cultural activities and important events.

"With this intervention, the bridge will not only function as a modern and safe infrastructure. It will acquire its own nighttime identity and will be transformed into a recognizable landmark, a modern point of reference and extroversion for the Municipality of Iasmos, Rhodope and our entire Region," the Regional Governor pointed out.

"Bridges unite people and societies"

Referring to the broader significance of the project, Mr. Topsides noted:

"Bridges do not just connect two banks. They connect people, families, settlements and productive activities. They ensure access to work, school, public services and health facilities."

They reduce travel time and costs, support the primary sector, trade and local businesses. Above all, they create a sense of security and strengthen social cohesion.

The Kompsatos Bridge is a project that belongs to the citizens and today it is being handed over to the citizens."

The Regional Governor warmly thanked the Deputy Regional Governor of the Rodopi Regional Unit, Manolis Tapatzas, the executives and engineers of the Technical Works Directorate of the Rodopi Regional Unit, the co-responsible services, the design team, the contractor, the supervising engineers, as well as all the associates and employees who contributed to addressing the difficulties and completing the project.

"We continue with a plan, consistency and cooperation, investing in infrastructure that improves everyday life, protects human life – the supreme good – and creates real conditions for development throughout Eastern Macedonia and Thrace," concluded the Regional Governor.

 

Attached is the speech of the Regional Governor of AMTH at the ceremony of the handover of the Kompsatos bridge