The ground along the Egnatia Motorway is characterised by a vast variety of geological formations and geotechnical conditions. It is not rare that structures and earthworks constructed along the Motorway need to be protected against geological changes (landslides, liquefactions, etc), especially since the project crosses an abundance of different geotectonic zones formed throughout the whole Geological History of Greece.
The main geotechnical problems that need to be handled and solved include: deep cuts and high embankments in the mountainous regions of Epirus and Macedonia, landslide areas, major structures founded on piles or rock sockets, and construction works in riverside areas characterised by extensive deposits of soft compressible soils. The high seismicity of the area crossed by the project is also a factor that demands careful design.
Decisive role in the successful completion of the project plays the early identification and address of adverse geological conditions. To this purpose, extensive geological investigation programs are performed in the design stage of construction works.