Ionian Motorway is now operational improving accessibility to Western Greece

Nikos Karagiannis reporting from Ioannina, Western Greece

It is a great pleasure to see what you’ve been writing about for 10 years in a row, becoming a reality for the residents of an entire region of Greece. Ionian Motorway was inaugurated a few hours ago by PM, Alexis Tsipras and several officials.

Today is an historic day for both Epirus and Aetoloakarnania regions, whose accessibility as of September 2017 is dramatically improved. Numbers are already really encouraging; according to data provided by the concessionaire at Ypodomes.com, 7,100 vehicles use the motorway on a daily basis, a figure much higher than predictions.

Today, everybody was present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony: the Greek Prime Minister, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, deputies from all major political parties, regional governors of Epirus and Western Greece, citizens experienced the historic moment when Ionian Motorway was officially introduced to our lives.

Joy and satisfaction were evident in every face present, in a day when construction works were officially concluded giving way to the stage of the motorway’s operation. Based on my experience, I can tell you that Athens-Ioannina time distance is now just 3 hours and 40 minutes, provided that all speed limits are respected, and time distance between Antirio and Ioannina, 1 hour and 40 minutes.

The driving experience is unique, as Ionian Motorway offers a comfortable and safe journey, surrounded by incomparably beautiful natural scenery: ​​from Patraikos Gulf heading to Mesolongi Lake and the lagoons of Aetolia, the forests of Arta and the mountain range of Pindos all the way to Ioannina Plain.

During today’s inauguration, future projects were also announced, such as the extension of Ionian Motorway to the Greek-Albanian borders (Ioannina-Kakavia), the connection of Ionian Motorway to Preveza and Tzoumerka, Agrinio as well as the completion of the abandoned project of Amvrakia Motorway (Aktio-Amvrakia).

It is certain that the operation of the new motorway will transform instantly the perception of road transport in Western Greece and Epirus, reducing distances considerably in areas that were classified as secluded until the very recent past. A new commercial route is now a reality, creating developmental prospect in an underprivileged part of the country with strategic potential.

The contractor of the project is GEK TERNA, one of the country’s major construction conglomerates, with whose efficiency the motorway is now up and running as the company handled the thorny issues of the expropriations wisely, allowing the project to proceed and finally be completed. It is noteworthy that as these are being written, there are still a few expropriations that have not yet been fully completed. Toll stations across the motorway are also expected to start operating, as the motorway is now fully functional. Cost of use for all 196 km of Ionian Motorway is estimated at 12.45 euros with the journey between Athens and Ioannina increasing to 37.25 euros per direction.

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com

Follow Nikos Karagiannis on Twitter