Train passengers will be able to travel between Athens and Thessaloniki in three-and-a-half hours by 2013, according to a statment made by the Greek Transport Minister Evripidis Stylianidis last week.

He made the comments after visiting the construction of a 522-meter rail bridge in Styrfaka, central Greece, which is part of the project to improve the connection between Lianokladi and Domokos, thereby reducing journey times.

Stylianidis said that the by 2013 the conditions will be in place for a substantial cut in the travel time between the two major cities of Greece.