A strategically important infrastructure project is advancing in northwestern Greece, involving the construction of a modern highway approximately 70 kilometers in length. The new route will connect the Ionian Motorway (Ionia Odos) and the Egnatia Odos through the city of Ioannina, extending to Kalpaki, the traditional villages of Zagori, and ultimately reaching the Kakavia border crossing with Albania.
The project is structured in two main sections:
Section 1: Ioannina – Kalpaki
This section spans from the end of the existing concession contract (km 4+800) to the Kalpaki Interchange (km 51+237.37), covering 46.4 kilometers of new alignment. It includes six grade-separated interchanges, one of which—Passaronas Interchange (K3)—is designated as an optional element (Option 1), with a total length of 1.47 kilometers.
Section 2: Kalpaki – Kakavia
This section covers the route from Kalpaki to the Kakavia border crossing (km 74+349.66), with a total length of 23.1 kilometers. It involves the upgrading of the existing road infrastructure and is designated as Option 2.
Project Budget and Funding
The total base budget for the project, including VAT, amounts to €310 million. An additional €76 million is allocated for optional works, including the Kalpaki–Kakavia section and the connection links to the Ioannina Airport and the city’s Industrial Zone (ΒΙΠΕ). This brings the overall projected cost to €386 million.
The project is commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, and funding is secured through the Partnership Agreement for the Development Framework (ESPA 2021–2027).
The contractor has already been installed on-site. The Project Quality Plan has been submitted and approved, and preliminary works are underway, including the implementation of the approved geotechnical program. The final design studies are currently being prepared, reviewed, and approved in accordance with the contractual obligations and approved timeline. Meanwhile, the expropriation process for affected properties is in progress, and the commencement of full-scale earthworks is expected by the end of the year.
This infrastructure development carries significant cross-border importance, as it effectively extends and connects Greece’s two major north–south and east–west motorways—the Ionian Motorway and the Egnatia Odos—toward the Greek–Albanian border. The new highway is expected to greatly enhance regional connectivity, facilitate international trade and travel, and contribute to the economic development of Epirus and the wider Western Balkans region.
