Construction works for Crete’s new International Airport to commence in early 2018

Construction works for the New Airport in Kasteli, Heraklion are about to start with a small delay. The reason, as reported at Ypodomes.com, is the tender’s extension for the assignment of the Independent Engineer, whose deadline is extended to December, 7th. Nevertheless, this is one of the remaining crucial steps that will bring us closer to the final signatures. After the completion of the Independent Engineer’s selection, the concession contract will be sent for approval to the Court of Auditors.

The approval of environmental licensing by the Ministry of the Environment will also be important, based on the contractor’s offer, as it is  feature a significantly smaller scope than the original one. The deposit has been made and there is cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure. However, this is not connected with the signatures’ process but with the construction phase, meaning that it cannot cause further delays.

At the same time, expropriations have already begun, which will allow the quicker acquisition of the required spaces for the construction of the airport. Ministry of Infrastructure intentions are the works to start in the first quarter of 2018, shortly after the approval of the contract by the Court of Auditors and the consequent ratification by the Greek Parliament. The duration of the construction phase has been initially estimated at 5 years.

The only unknown factor so far is the possibility of archaeological excavations that could hamper the pace of work, but that is something that will be of concern during the materialization of the project.

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com

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