Construction Plan for Second Section of Ionia Odos Motorway Extension From Ioannina to Greek-Albanian Border Activated

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has moved forward with initiating the activation process for the upgrade, including the Kalpaki–Kakavia section. As part of the upgrade of the Ioannina–Kakavia extension of the Ionian Motorway, works have initially commenced on the Ioannina–Kalpaki section, which has a length of 46.4 km.

The alignment runs west of the city of Ioannina and includes six grade-separated interchanges. At this stage, works on this section are mainly progressing with excavation and the opening of the new motorway route.

Within the scope of the contract, with AVAX as the contractor, there is also an option for the second major sub-section from Kalpaki to the Kakavia border station. This second section has a total length of 23.11 km.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has put the relevant Environmental Study out for public consultation. Upon its completion, the Region of Epirus will issue its opinion (which is not binding), while the final approval—giving the green light for the activation of the works—will be granted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

Subsequently, the process will be finalized with a decision by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, which will formally incorporate the Kalpaki–Kakavia sub-section into the construction scope of the Ioannina–Kakavia project.

It should be clarified that the current timeline of 54 months, with completion in June 2029, applies to the activated section from Ioannina to Kalpaki.

For the second section, following a decision by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, additional time will be required for completion, given that it will be incorporated into the road upgrade contract approximately 2.5 years after the contract signing, which took place on December 18, 2024.

Thus, it is likely (provided no extension is granted for the Ioannina–Kalpaki section) that the project will be delivered in stages: first the section up to Kalpaki, and subsequently the section up to Kakavia.

The Kalpaki–Kakavia section constitutes the second option of the project, as there is also another option concerning the K3 – Passaronas grade-separated interchange.

Scope of the two sections

The project has a total cost of €386 million (including VAT) and is funded by the 2021–2027 NSRF.
Ioannina–Kalpaki section (under construction)

The Ioannina–Kalpaki section, with a length of 46.4 km (Ch. 4+800 – Ch. 51+237.37), involves the construction of a high-speed road. It includes major technical works (4 bridges, 5 overpasses and 25 underpasses, 1 cut-and-cover structure, approximately 120 minor technical works such as culverts, and 6 retaining walls), as well as the following interchanges:

Completion of the Egnatia Interchange (K0).

Kosmira–Asvestochori Interchange (K1), serving the settlements of Kosmira, Asvestochori and Kontsika, designed as a diamond interchange.

Grammenochoria Interchange (K2), connecting settlements such as Kontsika, Lofiskos, Petralona, Perati, Grammeno, Vageniti and Polylophos, also in a diamond layout.

Passaronas Interchange (K3) (Option 1), from Ch. 21+940 to Ch. 23+441, intended to connect the northern part of the Ionian Motorway with the airport, the industrial area (VIPe) and the urban complex of Ioannina. It also provides access to western Ioannina and eastern Thesprotia. It is designed as a three-leg grade-separated interchange.

Zitsa Interchange (K4), serving settlements in the Zitsa municipal unit as well as Petsali, Neochori and Lapsista, also in a diamond layout.

Karyes Interchange (K5), connecting settlements such as Karyes, Asfaka, Petsali and areas of Central Zagori, also designed as a diamond interchange.

Kalpaki Interchange (K6), ensuring access to the Ionian Motorway for the Konitsa area and, by extension, regions such as Florina and Kastoria. It will also serve tourism traffic towards Zagorochoria and the Vikos–Aoos National Park. It is designed as a two-level partial cloverleaf interchange.

Kalpaki–Kakavia section

The Kalpaki–Kakavia section (from Ch. 51+237.37 to Ch. 74+349.66), which is to be incorporated into the contract, includes 15.8 km of vertical and parallel road networks, 4 new underpasses and 2 new overpasses.

It also includes the following interchanges: Doliana, Ravenia, Vissani, Delvinaki, Zavrocho, Ktismata and Kakavia.
It should be noted that the Ioannina–Kakavia extension of the Ionian Motorway will not have the same motorway characteristics as the Antirrio–Ioannina section, as it will feature a 2+1 lane configuration.

However, it will include grade-separated interchanges and there is provision for a future upgrade to a full closed motorway, depending on traffic volumes in the coming years.
The total distance from Antirrio to Ioannina and Kakavia, approximately 264 km, is estimated to be covered in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

The connection of this road section to the Ionian Motorway is expected to create new development prospects for the Ioannina region, as it will link the Ioannina airport, the industrial area (one of the most active regional industrial zones in the country), and major tourist destinations such as Zagorochoria, while also ending the road isolation of the northern part of the region.

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