Study for Potamos Bridge finally submitted to Central Archaeological Council
Potamos
20 Dec 2021
/ 17:06
CORFU. The request has been submitted by the Ionian Islands Region to the Central Archaeological Council since October 27th.
The Central Archaeological Council (KAS) will discuss tomorrow the approval or non-approval of the study of structural works and immediate measures for the protection of the Potamos Bridge and the reopening of the road. Although the request had been submitted by the Ionian Islands Region since 27 October, it took almost two months for it to finally be introduced at the Central Archaeological Council’s meeting. It is the 24th issue on the agenda and the meeting is headed by the Head of the Directorate for the Restoration of Byzantine and Post-byzantine Monuments Themistocles Vlachoulis. The Central Archaeological Council’s decision is necessary, since this particular bridge is classified as a monument.
What it concerns
According to Deputy Regional Governor for Infrastructure and Technical Works Manolis Orphanoudakis, the study submitted for approval concerns the bridge’s static reinforcement with concrete in its foundation for soil decontamination. "We are proposing to reinforce the bridge with a different structural study than the previous one, which required the river to be dried up, as the work would be done on the riverbed. Now, the method of the work is changing. The abutment is not solid, but it is filled with three layers of hard material with soft material in between, which allows the work we are proposing to be done with short-term measures to support the existing bridge from the deck,” Mr. Orphanoudakis told Enimerosi.
He also explained that, if the structural study for the Potamos Bridge is finally approved, the project is estimated to be ready in April 2022, as there is an available budget of €350,000.
It should be reminded that since the devastating ‘Ballos’ storm hit the island on 14 October, the bridge remains closed to pedestrians and vehicles, making the daily life of around 7,000 local residents difficult.
Alternatively
Finally, as Mr. Orphanoudakis explained, in case this proposal is not approved, the installation of a metallic simple – not military – type of bridge has been submitted for consideration by the Central Archaeological Council.
What it concerns
According to Deputy Regional Governor for Infrastructure and Technical Works Manolis Orphanoudakis, the study submitted for approval concerns the bridge’s static reinforcement with concrete in its foundation for soil decontamination. "We are proposing to reinforce the bridge with a different structural study than the previous one, which required the river to be dried up, as the work would be done on the riverbed. Now, the method of the work is changing. The abutment is not solid, but it is filled with three layers of hard material with soft material in between, which allows the work we are proposing to be done with short-term measures to support the existing bridge from the deck,” Mr. Orphanoudakis told Enimerosi.
He also explained that, if the structural study for the Potamos Bridge is finally approved, the project is estimated to be ready in April 2022, as there is an available budget of €350,000.
It should be reminded that since the devastating ‘Ballos’ storm hit the island on 14 October, the bridge remains closed to pedestrians and vehicles, making the daily life of around 7,000 local residents difficult.
Alternatively
Finally, as Mr. Orphanoudakis explained, in case this proposal is not approved, the installation of a metallic simple – not military – type of bridge has been submitted for consideration by the Central Archaeological Council.
