Rio - Antirrio "Charilaos Trikoupis" Bridge: 20 years of technical and operational excellence. 20 years of pride for Greece.

• The Bridge continues to be a symbol of a Greece that dares, that progresses, a symbol of a country that manages to overcome even the greatest difficulties.
• It continues its journey into the future, placing people, society and the environment at its centre.

12 August 2004. Charilaos Trikoupis' vision becomes reality and Greece inaugurates a project that was destined to change forever the experience of travellers and the lives of the inhabitants of Western Greece. The Charilaos Trikoupis Rio-Antirrio Bridge has been described as a "modern engineering marvel", as both its design and construction met significant challenges. The total height (base to top) of the highest pillar of the bridge is 227 metres, while its construction required 312,517 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and 17,700 tonnes of steel.   The Bridge is an excellent example of the success of the concession model for the implementation of infrastructure projects, of cooperation between the private and public sectors with co-financing from the European Investment Bank and, of course, a symbol of Greek-French friendship.

August 12, 2024. 20 years later, the bridge is still a symbol of a Greece that dares, that progresses, a symbol of a country that manages to overcome even the greatest difficulties. In addition to being an iconic landmark, the Bridge is a model of technical and operational excellence for infrastructure, combining the international experience of VINCI Highways with the leading expertise of the staff of GEFYRA

Putting safety as an absolute priority, Gefyra applies the most stringent international standards in this field. A total of 3,342 structural elements of the construction are thoroughly checked on an annual basis, both through technological systems (special software, monitoring sensors) and through inspections carried out by specialized personnel (aerialists/alpinists, divers). The biggest and most substantial objective that GEFYRA has achieved is that of zero major accidents.

By constantly investing in cutting-edge technologies, GEFYRA continues its journey into the future by putting people, society and the environment at the centre. As of 2019, all of the Bridge's electricity needs are covered 100% by renewable energy sources, while through the implementation of best practices, Gefyra manages to continuously reduce its overall environmental footprint. 

On the occasion of the completion of 20 years of operation of the Bridge, the CEO of GEFYRA, Mr. Panos Loukas, said: "The Rio - Antirrio Bridge is much more than a landmark project. It is a constant reminder of what we can achieve when we join forces for a common purpose. The 20-year anniversary fills us with pride and responsibility. Responsibility for the future. GEFYRA will continue to pave the way for sustainable mobility, while being an essential ally for the country, the economy and regional development."

You can see the video here.