These are Greece’s new EU-funded motorway & road projects until 2027

Major road projects and new highways are included in the planning for the new NSRF 2021-2027. Major projects such as VOAK, Patra-Pyrgos, the extension of Kymi Avenue and the extension of Attiki Odos to Rafina are just some of the proposed projects to be included in the new programming period in the “Transportation” Operational Program. The projects are promoted by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as part of the €13 billion project package.

An important feature of the accession proposals is their geographical distribution. This is how we see projects from Evros -with the connection of the Egnatia Odos to the port of Alexandroupolis-, Epirus -with Ioannina-Kakavia-, Western Greece -with Patras-Pyrgos, up to Evia and Crete.

Emphasis has been placed on the completion of the construction of missing sections of the detailed Trans-European Road Network (TNE) of the mainland and island country. With current planning, the country’s highway network will be significantly expanded by the end of the new NSRF.

Highway projects

In the context of the further development of the country’s motorway network, the implementation of the following projects is tentatively planned:

The Chania-Hersonissos section of VOAK. It is the main part of the highway of Crete which will be implemented by the concession method. The tender is at an advanced stage and this year it is expected that the binding offers of the participants will be given. The works are estimated to start in 2023 with a completion projection for 2028.

The construction of the highway Patras – Pyrgos of Olympia Odos. The project has been sanctioned and signed and is set to start in the next period of time. It will initially be financed by the NSRF 2014-2020 and then completed by the NSRF 2021-2027. Along with the project, it is planned to upgrade the connections of the side road network with the highway.

The third important project that we will see being proposed and included in the new NSRF is the construction of the Ioannina – Kakkavia road connection. The physical continuity of the Ionian Sea is of critical importance for the society of Epirus as it will serve critical sectors of the local economy such as industry and tourism.

At the same time, the road will contribute to the stimulation of trade / export activity through the connection with the Western Balkans. Also, the cross-border connection serves the Macro-regional Adriatic-Ionian Strategy (EUSAIR) and specifically the pillar “Adriatic-Ionian Multimodal Routes” as it is part of the Adriatic Motorway. The project is expected to be tendered within 2022. Its cost is around 200 million euros.

Finally, in the field of highways, one more project that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is interested in joining the new NSRF is the extension of Kymi Avenue (through tunnels) from Attiki Odos to U/J Kalyftakis with E.O. (PATHE).

The project in question has been announced and its auction will start in the next few days. It is the first extension of the Attiki Odos and will give significant relief to the traffic chaos of Attica. Especially for Attiki Odos, the project is critical for easing traffic in the Metamorfosi-Plakentia section. It has a cost including VAT of 350 million euros

Major Regional Road Projects

Here we have three important projects that will be attempted or proposed for inclusion in the new NSRF 2021-2027. They are projects that either complete existing roads or start new ones.

The first project is the completion of the construction of the Melivoia – Dimario subsection of the Dimario – Greek-Bulgarian border section, which is part of the vertical axis of the Egnatia Road, Xanthi – Echinos – Greek-Bulgarian Border and belongs to the Trans-European Road Network. The project is under construction with funding from the NSRF 2014-2020 and will be completed as a bridge project.

The second concerns the construction of the Bralos – Amfissa section of the Lamia-Itea-Antirrio diagonal axis. With the project, the level of road safety is significantly improved as most of it is built in mountainous terrain. The project has been announced and its auction is scheduled for the next few days. Its cost with VAT reaches 285 million euros.

The third project is the construction of the Chalkida-Psachni Bypass. The project creates better driving conditions while bypassing the capital of Evia, relieving it of traffic. And this project has been announced and its tender is a matter of days. With the option, its cost reaches 210 million euros

Road connections with Ports

The projects proposed for inclusion concern investments to strengthen the multimodality of transport through the interconnection of the road network with ports. They are important projects as the connection of the ports with the country’s highway network creates important development conditions. The projects are:

The completion of the connection of the P.A.Th.E. and Egnatia Odos with the 6th pier of the port of Thessaloniki and the road network of the Kalochori region. The project has already started with funding from the NSRF 2014-2020 and will be completed as a bridge project.

The road connection of Egnatia with the port of Alexandroupolis. The €50m project was signed off last December and is being funded by the NSRF 2014-2020. It will also be completed as a bridge project.

As mentioned in the program for the new NSRF, at the same time the project of the extension of the Western Regional Ymittos towards the port of Rafina is maturing, so that it can be included in the Program. This is a project that is included in the expansion package of the Attiki Odos.

It is particularly important as it will connect the second largest passenger port of Attica with Attiki Odos and by extension with Athens, facilitating and shortening access to and from it.

The major road projects and highways that we will see financed by the new NSRF 2021-2027 will be another powerful weapon for the country’s effort to become a freight hub of South-Eastern Europe.