Diagonal Road Axis: The new highway that will connect Lamia with Antirrio

By Eleni Bota

With the selection of the temporary contractor for one more section, the implementation of the so-called “diagonal axis” Lamia – Itea – Antirrio, which connects the Athens-Thessaloniki highway with the Ionian Highway, Olympia Road and the Rio-Antirrio Bridge, is progressing .

The Ministry of Infrastructure proceeded to appoint the temporary contractor for the section “end of Gravia Bypass – Flat Bauxite Mining Junction”, budget 12.85 million euros with an option of 650 thousand euros to the company Afoi Papaioannou ATEVE INTERKAT.

Another large section of the highway, Bralos-Amfissa, with a budget of 285 million euros, has already been auctioned. The contractor of the project is AVAX, while the contract is estimated to be signed in the autumn and its duration is 54 months.

With the implementation of this approximately 25 kilometer long section with two tunnels, eight bridges and eight level junctions, another important step is taken for the implementation of the road axis, one of the largest projects in Central Greece.

According to estimates, upon its completion, the Lamia-Patras distance from 185 kilometers today will be reduced to 160 kilometers. At the same time, the driving time for a passenger vehicle will be cut in half, from three hours today to 90 minutes, making possible the fast West-East road connection.

Also, with the implementation of the road axis, it becomes possible to connect the ports of Volos and Patras, two of the most important regional ports of the country, while at the same time it will give the possibility of bypassing Boeotia and Attica to those who want to from the north and central part of the country to head towards Western Greece.

Also important is the fact that this axis will benefit the Rio-Antirio Bridge, as it will increase its flows from the moment the Bridge becomes an entry-exit to three road axes Ionia, PATHE and E65.

In fact, the importance of this axis was also emphasized in the Final Report on the Development Plan for the Greek Economy (Pissarides Report), as an infrastructure project that can enhance mobility, accessibility and regional convergence throughout the country.