Safer, smarter and more sustainable tunnels: from Colombia to Greece, VINCI Highways upgrades key infrastructures

In Colombia, the Sumapaz tunnel enters a new era

On the Bogotá-Girardot highway, more than 30,000 vehicles travel daily along one of the country’s most vital routes for commerce, tourism and daily commutes. At the heart of this corridor, the Sumapaz Tunnel is entering a new phase of transformation.

Our teams at Via Sumapaz have replaced the outdated lighting system with 100% LED technology. The new lighting will reduce electricity consumption by 60% to 80%, while providing better visibility and greater road safety for drivers. Beyond the environmental benefits, such as lower emissions and the elimination of mercury light bulbs, LED technology also improves comfort. The brighter, more uniform lighting reduces flicker and eye fatigue, a key advantage on long, dark stretches.

In Greece, the Katerini tunnel sets new safety standards

The complete upgrade of the Katerini tunnel, on the Maliakos-Kleidi highway, operated by Agean Motorway, marks a technological milestone. Using an innovative construction methodology applied for the first time in Greece, the tunnel now meets the highest European safety standards.

At its core, the tunnel is equipped with a new digital control and monitoring system that oversees operations, collects real-time data from over 200,000 points and automatically activates emergency response procedures when needed. The tunnel is remotely managed from the Operational Center located 100 kilometers away, as part of an integrated digital system covering all tunnels in the project.

Advanced automatic video incident detection has been deployed, enabling to detect any incident within minimal time, reducing response time and enhancing safety. New LED lighting, upgraded ventilation systems, enhanced safety signage every 25 meters, and a completely renewed electrical and drainage network make the tunnel both safer and more resilient.

Olympia Odos: Greece’s first 100% LED highway

Another landmark achievement in Greece: Olympia Odos has completed the full modernization of its lighting system, becoming the first 100% LED highway in the country. Over 5,000 LED luminaires have been installed on the Athens-Corinth-Patras highway, all connected to a smart control system that manages each fixture individually, optimizing lighting levels, maintenance and energy efficiency.

This upgrade has cut energy consumption by more than 55% while ensuring consistent visibility and safety across all tunnels and covered sections.

In addition, tunnel walls were repainted with an innovative photocatalytic coating, the first large-scale application of its kind in Greece, enhancing light reflection and reducing air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide. More than 125,000 m² were covered with this innovative material.

This initiative forms part of Olympia Odos’ roadmap to decarbonize its operations by 2030, alongside investments in photovoltaic parks and the installation of electric vehicle charging stations along the highway.