The 10 big future infrastructure projects that promise to change Greece’s image 

We may be talking about the projects that are under construction and that are changing the image of the country, such as line 4 of the Athens Metro, but behind it there is a new generation of projects that will come to add new important infrastructure to the country and strengthen transportation networks.

There are three main areas of networks that are going to be significantly strengthened in the next 10 years. Motorways, Railways, Metro. In these fields we will see very large projects with extremely high budgets that may mobilize the major companies in the sector.

Within these projects we will see the new railway line Thessaloniki-Xanthi, the completion of the vertical axis Kakavia-Rio-Tsakona, the extensions of Attiki Odos, the new railway line Kalambaka-Igoumenitsa, the extension of line 4 of the Athens Metro but and the extension of the Thessaloniki Metro to Macedonia Airport. Some of these projects are already in the tender phase, others in the maturation phase and others in the planning phase.

The most important project of all, however, which completely changes the image of a wider area of the capital and with it Greece, is Hellinikon. The A`phase projects have already started in the area, but they constitute 1/3 of the investment. After their completion in 2026, there will be Phase B and Phase C, which will complete the new image of the new suburbs. The added value it can bring to the city is very great and together with the Double Redevelopment of Votanikos-Alexandras and that of Falirikos Ormos will give the new face of Athens.

Today we will look at them one by one with the aim of getting a better picture of their value and the change they will cause with their implementation.

No10: Completion of the Kakavia-Rio-Tsakona road axis

Two projects are included here. The completion of the northern section from Ioannina to Kakavia which is the natural continuation of the Ionia Motorway and the southern extension of the Olympia Road from Pyrgos to Tsakona. The two projects are part of the Adriatic Road, a road that starts from Trieste in Italy and ends in Messinia in our country.

They are projects with a “hidden” value as until today this axis practically does not exist since projects are being carried out in several countries. With its implementation, however, it will be a new commercial and tourist road that will connect the Dalmatian coasts with those of Ionia and will be able to provide a new alternative route for goods to Central Europe.

Ioannina-Kakavia has taken the path of implementation by the Ministry of Infrastructure and it is considered that the announcement of the tender is a matter of weeks. The question is whether he can make it ahead of the upcoming national elections.

The last section from Pyrgos to Tsakona is looking for final drawings and funding, but practically with the implementation of the northern section up to Kakavia, potentially at some point we will be led to the implementation of this section as well.

No9: Thessaloniki Metro extension to Macedonia Airport

One of the next extensions of the Thessaloniki Metro, after the operation of the main line and the Kalamaria line, is the extension of the network to Macedonia Airport.

The extension of the Attiko Metro concerns the extension of the 2nd line after the Mikra station on an above-ground route with 3 intermediate stations (Scholi Polemou, Diabalkaniko,Georgiki Scholi) and the terminal station.

“Macedonia Airport”. It will be one of the most important future projects of Thessaloniki that will expand its metropolitan network.

No8: Completion of Line 2 of the Athens Metro Acharnes-Glyfada

Here we have a triple object of works to bring us to the final form of the “red” line 2 of the Athens Metro. The first is the extension to Ilion that was just announced by Attiko Metro. It includes 3 stations (Palatiani, Ilion, Agios Nikolaos). An extension with 3 more stations to Menidi (Kamatero, Ano Liosia and Acharnes) remains to be completed to the north and an extension to the south with 3 stations to Glyfada (Ano Glyfada, Gr.Lambraki, Glyfada). The bet is to find the funding for these two projects.

No7: Double Redevelopment of Votanicos-Alexandras

It is one of the largest interventions in the capital carried out by the Municipality of Athens. There will be three major projects in Votanikos. The first two concern the wide-ranging regeneration of the area which today looks third world and the culmination is the new Panathinaikos stadium which will make it look more urban. Also, many private investments are planned to transform the area into a new financial center for Athens.

At the same time, the new stadium will also mean the demolition of the current headquarters of the clover, in Alexandras Av., which will be redeveloped to form a new green lung in a densely populated area.

No6: Extensions of Attiki Odos

Much has been written about the extensions of Attiki Odos. In all likelihood they will end up in 4 projects. The extension of Kymi Av., to the National Highway in Lykovrysi, which will be signed and the works will begin. The urban tunnel of Ilioupoli that will connect Katehaki and Vouliagmenis Av., and will level the axis up to Elliniko. The maturation studies have been undertaken by Lamda Development. Also the extensions to the ports of Rafina and Lavrio. For the 3 extensions, we are waiting for news from the Ministry of Infrastructure after the elections. It is estimated that under certain conditions they will be able to be completed by 2030. They will be a significant factor for reducing the traffic, with Kymi as the peak and also the Ilioupoli tunnel.

No5: VOAK

The country’s last major highway project has come to fruition. The eastern section from Neapolis to Agios Nikolaos is already under construction. The middle section from Hersonissos to Neapolis is signed to start while the main section from Chania to Hersonissos is in a tender phase and the start of implementation is set for 2024.

The implementation of VOAK by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport will mark the end of the hazardous road that is currently operating and claims many human lives every year. Instead, a modern, safe and comfortable highway will operate that will connect the largest urban, tourist and commercial centers on the northern coastline of Crete. Together with the Airport in Kasteli, they will be the spearhead of the development of Crete in the coming years.

No4: Extension of Line 4 of the Athens Metro to Marousi-Ethniki Odos

It is perhaps the most urgent Metro expansion in the last 20 years. Kifissias is the last major axis of the capital without access to the Metro, although it has been congested with traffic for years. The coming back of the traffic “monster” makes the implementation of the extension of line 4 to Marousi-Ethniki Odos a first priority.

It will serve perhaps the most important commercial and economic axis of Athens and will improve the traffic problem of the northern suburbs as tens of municipalities are served through Kifissia, the Attiki Odos and even access to the National Road. With its implementation, it will change the transport map of Athens and will provide new possibilities for “green” movement with the Metro.

Attiko Metro’s bet is to find financing due to the large cost that exceeds 1.3 billion euros. It is one of the projects that will occupy us a lot in the next decade.

No3: New Railway Line Thessaloniki-Kavala-Xanthi

It is the most important new railway line concerning the eastern part of the so-called Egnatia Railway. It is already in tender by ERGOSE from 2022. The new Thessaloniki-Kavala-Xanthi line is currently the largest new public project in the country. It will reduce the Thessaloniki-Alexandroupoli distance by almost 4 hours and approximately 80 kilometers.

It will strengthen the railway lines, give new development possibilities to the ports and VIPE from Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli and strengthen their connectivity with the rest of the national network. It is undoubtedly a work of immense importance. It is also the first new railway line in Northern Greece in over 120 years.

No2: New Railway Line Kalambaka-Ioannina-Igoumenitsa

This project is perhaps one of the most critical for the country. It will be the first railway extension of the network to Epirus and the Northern Ionian. It will cover a large gap in the country’s railway map and will bring areas such as Grevena, Ioannina and Igoumenitsa out of railway isolation.

In addition, the railway connection of the port of Igoumenitsa will contribute to the further geopolitical upgrading of the country and the connection with Italy and Western Europe. For Ioannina, it will mean upgrading the city to a transport hub, road and rail, with significant ramifications for the development of the region.

At the same time, it contributes to the balanced and fair development of the Regions of the country as the line will serve 3 Regions: Thessaly, Western Macedonia and Epirus while it will connect them with the major railway centers in Athens and Thessaloniki.

It is a difficult and expensive project, the studies have been approved by Europe and it is expected that the tender will be held by OSE, which will give flesh and bones to the future implementation of this project.

No1: Hellinikon investment

This is the greatest, largest and most complex project the country has seen in decades. It concerns the conversion by Lamda Development of the former Hellinikon airport into a new “smart” and “green” city, which will have one of the largest Metropolitan Parks in Europe, advanced technologies for running a city, highlighting the streams of the area, a new beach, a new tourist center in Agios Kosmas, commercial center in L. Vouliagmenis, sports centers, residential areas, etc.

The first phase of the projects is underway with a 2026 horizon for about 1/3 of the projects. Then it will take about a decade to complete the project that will change the face of Athens and Greece, as a modern city and destination in the Mediterranean.