The major problem of traffic in Athens takes center stage today as the government holds a comprehensive, closed meeting at the Maximos Mansion to address the issue. The meeting, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will include Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis and Minister of State Akis Skertsos, who will coordinate and oversee specific issues and initiatives involving multiple ministries and agencies. Also attending will be Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis, who is developing ideas for traffic police presence at key points and other possible interventions; Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, who is expected to present construction work on three junctions and the connection of the Western Ring Road of Aigaleo with the National Highway Athens-Corinth and completion of the Skaramanga Junction, as well as the “smart” solution chosen for the Metamorfosis interchange: A new, independent entrance to the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway from Attiki Odos (exclusively toward Piraeus) will be created to end the daily endless traffic jams where the two entry branches merge (Airport to Lamia and Elefsina to Lamia).
The meeting will also include Deputy Transport Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis, who will analyze his proposal to ban heavy vehicle traffic from 7:00 to 10:00 AM on the national highway, as well as proposals for carpooling; Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, regarding possible changes to store delivery schedules and other issues under his jurisdiction; Maritime Minister Vassilis Kikilas, who will discuss ship schedules to and from Piraeus (and secondarily to Lavrio and Rafina) and what changes could potentially be made so that arrival times don’t excessively burden Kifissos with trucks heading to the port en masse and moving toward the national highway; Deputy Infrastructure Minister Nikos Tachiaos, who is already studying the idea of extending Attiki Odos southward with a new section, almost entirely underground (the so-called Ilioupoli tunnel), which would connect Karea with Elliniko. If implemented, it would start from Katechaki, where the Western Ring Road of Ymittos currently ends, and reach Vouliagmenis Avenue, with three lanes per traffic direction and no other exit. Also present will be Labor Minister Niki Kerameos, who is expected to address possible modifications to work arrival and departure schedules to break up traffic from commuter vehicles during peak hours, and Attica Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias for all projects under his jurisdiction.
Other topics on today’s meeting agenda include possible metro network expansions, with the only confirmed project being the extension of Line 2 to Ilion, approximately 4 kilometers long with three new stations (Palatiani, Ilion Agios Nikolaos). Also discussed will be bus fleet renewal (in Athens and Thessaloniki), with the second tender for procuring 475 anti-pollution technology buses that will be on the roads by the end of 2027.
The development of the Business Park at the “Spilies” location in Fyli Municipality will remove all freight transport operations from Eleonas, where they are currently scattered chaotically, to be relocated in a modern and organized manner to Fyli. Under discussion is also the “Elefsina-Oinofyta” highway, which will decisively contribute to decongesting Kifissos, as thousands of cars and trucks will now bypass Athens daily, since it’s not their final destination anyway.
