Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Wednesday inaugurated the Hymettus west district avenue (part of the Attica Highway project) and opened it to traffic.
''This is an impressive project comparable to the most impressive and best works in the European Union'', Simitis said, adding: ''With this project, we prove that we achieve our goals, and we will continue to do so.''

The segment opened to traffic on Wednesday is 12 kilometers long and it connects the Katehaki intersection with the Rafina intersection on the Attika highway.
An additional segment, the so-called eastern branch of Hymettus west district avenue, is scheduled for completion in April and it will connect the avenue with the Doukissis Plakentias intersection.

 Simitis said that road construction projects such as the Hymettus west district avenue and the Attica highway were intended to improve quality of life and solve many traffic problems in Attica.
 ''This project changes the tiring daily routine associated with the citizens' transportation '', the prime minister said, adding that users would save 40 minutes to one hour of traveling time.
 He said this would result in substantial reductions in the use of fuel, with associated environmental benefits for the capital.
The prime minister stressed that Greece was changing and that the projects were becoming a reality through correct planning, consistency and persistence.
 ''We want Greece to be different and strong, so that Greeks can be proud of their land'', he said.

 He stressed that the project was carried in accordance with the most modern safety specifications and international standards.
 Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou, who accompanied the prime minister, said the Hymettus west district avenue was a quality project that will bring relief to the capital and its eastern districts.
''We created a project in harmony with the environment'', she said, adding ''It was completed with much speed and without any delays.''
She said the rest of the Attica Highway would be open to traffic in November, and referred to the 200 thousand trees that have been planted along its length.

  Intended to relieve traffic on Messogeion and Kifissias Avenues, the Hymettus ring-road skirting western Athens will serve an estimated 30 thousand vehicles daily, cutting traveling by 40 minutes to one hour daily.

Source: Athens News Agency

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