ΙΕΝΕ 2011 Scientific Workshop Highways and Wildlife: How do they coexist? Kastoria, September 22, 2011
EGNATIA Motorway : providing sustainable engineering solutions Niki Voumvoulaki George Krinas Dept.of Environment Design Directory EGNATIA ODOS S.A.
EGNATIA MOTORWAY: THE PROJECT IDENTITY The past Via Egnatia : built in 146-120 B.C. by the Roman officer Gaius Egnatius Via militaris - 800 km long, from Dirrachio to Byzantine Used by Saint Paul (40 A.C.) Until 16 th cent. A.C. mainly trade road Civitates, mansiones, mutatiae (stations) Trade tax (tolls) put in byzantine era A strategic road for over 2000 years (from Roman empire until the late history of Balkan) The present 670 km length of basic motorway 1650 major bridges, length 40 km 76 double tunnels, length 50 km 350 passage Serves 36% of the country population and 33% of GNP 190 km length of vertical axes
Tunnels Egnatia Motorway Total number of tunnels : 73 Tunnels with length over 500m : 31 Tunnel length (2-ways) : 50 km (7,5% of the length of Egnatia Motorway) Egnatia Motorway puts Greece to the 4 th place in EU concerning the number of large tunnels within the trans-european motorway network Tunnels > 500m of trans-european motorway network
17 Areas Protected under the European Network Natura 2000 Egnatia Motorway is adjacent to: 4 Wetlands protected under the Ramsar Convention 70 wildlife conservation areas (formerly wildlife reserves) the longest rivers in Greece
270 historic sites in a 1000m-wide zone 6
THE EXPERIENCE GAINED Tools for environmental protection at the design level Tools for environmental protection at the implementation level
Tools for environmental protection at the design level Special alignment according to the special characteristics of the environment (large tunnels, bridges, realignment) Monitoring of the existing environment situation Recording of protected fauna Landscape Rehabilitation Guidelines (OSAT, in its Greek acronym) Guidelines for the Management of Excavation expenses (ODDAE) Recording of archaeological sites Development of a Geographical Information System (GIS) with archaeological excavation information
Tools for environmental protection at the implementation level (1) Monitoring of the project's impact on the fauna Wildlife Passages Special road fencing
Tools for environmental protection at the implementation level (2) Installation of PCU s Environmental friendly construction practices (recycling of hazardous materials, sedimentation tanks, etc) Noise and air pollution monitoring and installation of noise barriers 10
Landscape Rehabilitation Works Rehabilitation of areas with local flora and private seed bank Rehabilitation of tunnel fronts Protection of slopes against surface erosion
-The area of Pindos is a very reach mountainous ecosystem - Presence of brown bear (permanent and periodical) MONITORING PROGRAMS FOR WILD FAUNA Egnatia Motorway Section 4.1 Panagia Grevena (35 km)
Section: Panagia Grevena Monitoring Program of the impacts on big mammals Duration Phase A: 2 years before construction (2003-2005) Phase B: 2 years during construction (2006-2008) Phase C: 2 years during operation of the project (not started yet)
Cooperation of: NGO s (Arcturos, Kallisto, Hellenic Ornithological Society) Universities (Aristotelio, Thessalia) Public authorities Cost (Phases A+B): >800.000 Plus: Full survey equipment and support (cars 4x4, housing, collars, traps, cameras, fencing, lab equipment, various expenses, etc)
Egnatia Motorway Section: Metsovo - Panagia Monitoring Program of the impacts on big mammals during construction Duration: 15 months (2007-2008) Cost: 220.000 Partner: NGO Kallisto E65 Motorway Section: Kalambaka - Egnatia Monitoring Program of the impacts on big mammals before construction Duration: 15 months (2007-2008) Cost: 250.000 Partner: NGO Arcturos
Useful Conclusions: Genetic info on the population of brown bear (60% increase within 5 years) Biotope condition Threats Proposals for the protection of the animal Points for further discussion: Use and efficiency of reinforced fence (height: 2,3 m) Information and proposals for the use of passages and drains
Vertical Axis 45 Siatista Kastoria Krystallopigi New section Koromilia Krystallopigi : area characterised as brown bear biotope Env. Terms with a serious increase of number and size of passages new high reinforced fence (3m height) Constructed section Siatista Koromilia : not mentioned for the existence of brown bear before, - 1,6 m high fence -bear car collisions (the majority in the local road network) search of financing a new high reinforced fence
Ατστήματα με τρασματισμούς Νεκροί από τροταίο ατύτημα Car accidents Less car accidents in the road network of northern Greece after the operation of Egnatia Motorway: Less car accidents by 72% (475 131) Less car accident fatalities by 60% (109 44) 500 450 400 Accidents in roads of northern Greece (1999-2007) Ατυχήματα Νεκροί 120 100 350 300 80 250 60 200 150 40 100 50 20 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 0
The challenges to look upon Wildlife protection History Natural environment Cultural heritage Tourism Archaeological sites Monuments Sustainable development Tradition The challenge through time... Sustainable Development of the adjacent areas of Egnatia Motorway, in view of the protection of natural and historical areas and highlighting them.
because... roads, old and new, belong to history or write the history of the future to be continued