Road and rail infrastructure takes center stage for the government, as the day before yesterday saw the inauguration of the Patras – Pyrgos Highway and yesterday the first 65 kilometers of the new highway were delivered to traffic, specifically from Pyrgos to Alissos, while the next 10 kilometers towards Patras will be delivered within November. In total, the project includes the Patras-Pyrgos section of 75 kilometers, which was completed by widening the existing National Road for the first 13 kilometers and new alignment for the remaining 62 km.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the Patras-Pyrgos section: To close the last pending issue in Peloponnese
“Today, on behalf of all of Western Greece and the southern Ionian islands, we are closing a pending issue that comes from the distant past and correcting a chronic injustice that has so much tormented and troubled the citizens of Western Greece,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the event held in Elis, who also committed to advancing the planning for “how the road will reach not only Olympia but all the way to Tsakona and what we need to do to achieve the best possible financing, possibly extending the concession contract or with any other tool we deem most appropriate to close this last pending issue concerning the Peloponnese”.
Major infrastructure projects in full development by the government
The government’s planning and the competent Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has ahead the completion of E-65 with the connection to Egnatia Highway, as well as a series of other road and rail projects. The emblematic government project of constructing the new modern airport in Kasteli, Crete, through a concession contract, is progressing at a steady pace with an implementation horizon of about 70% by the end of the year. In the Western Greece region, the upgraded road connection Vonitsa – Lefkada is also completed and delivered to citizens within the next two months.
Additionally, the project to improve and upgrade the road connection Bralos – Amfissa continues, as well as the eastern ring road (Flyover) of Thessaloniki with a delivery schedule for summer 2027, while construction of the connection between Ioannina and Kakavia also begins. Meanwhile, on the Thessaloniki metro map, the extension towards Kalamaria with five new stations is expected to be added in February 2026, while in Athens, work on the new Metro Line 4 continues at relatively satisfactory rates. Furthermore, for the new railway line in the Nea Karvali – Toxotes section, necessary actions are being promoted for the start of construction work. At the infrastructure level, beyond road and rail, flood protection and defense projects in Attica, Crete and Western Greece are in progress.
The longer-term planning includes the Chalkida and Psachna bypass projects and the road connection Kalamata – Rizomylos – Pylos – Methoni, a project already in progress. A special place among emblematic road projects for the government is held by the Northern Road Axis of Crete (BOAK) with parallel implementation in all three sections, from Chania to Lasithi. “For the first time we are certain that this project too will be able to proceed and be completed,” Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized in his speech referring to BOAK.
Ambition for railway hub
Regarding railways, the implementation of value-added projects is being promoted to establish Greece as a commercial hub, such as the upgrade of the line in the Alexandroupoli – Ormenio section and the new line Nea Karvali – Toxotes. Beyond freight, however, particular importance is given to the passenger aspect of railway infrastructure, with extensions of Athens and Thessaloniki Metro, procurement of new trains and integration of modern technological installations. Nevertheless, great emphasis continues to be placed on supporting the basic network. This is achieved by strengthening suburban sections, such as that of Western Attica, a project implemented with resources from the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
Particular care is also taken for restoring the devastating consequences of weather phenomena “DANIEL” and “ELIAS” on the road and railway networks of Central Greece, with the scheduled completion of respective projects. “The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport will present, we hope this autumn, the first new samples of the new Greek railways,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis noted at the last cabinet meeting.
