When Councilman Mihalis Plevrakis recently asked why the Municipal Government is "dragging its feet" in opening the Kokkini Hani ramps to the new national highway, the question drew an immediate and angry response from other council members. 

Mr. Plevrakis, and others, expressed concern since the ramps have been finished for a couple of months but have not been officially opened to the public, causing an unsafe situation since some drivers were using them on their own.

 To clear the air, and for the record, Vice Mayor Yiorgos Merambeliotakis, in charge of seeing the project through, met with The Khronicles to discuss the situation.

“The Gouves Demos took a big risk, and through great expense, finished the ramps when they were left half finished due to a court decision," Mr. Merambeliotakis said. "They have not opened yet because the work for the Aposelemi damn is continuing on an adjacent road and creates traffic problems in the area around the ramps.

He said the Demos is pressing the AKTOR Construction, the company working on the street project, to lay asphalt on the road piece from the Anopoli bridge and up to the entry point of the ramp so that there is a smooth and safe connection with the national road.

"Also, there are a few points like additional signage and some minor adjustments pointed out by the Technical in the District which will be handled immediately," he added.

Without being tied down to an exact date, he said the ramps will officially open very soon, possibly even by the time this edition of The Khronicles hits the street. (Editor's note: We hope so!)