Final section of E65 motorway opens to traffic today

With the opening to traffic of the northern and final section of the Central Greece Motorway (E65), one of the country’s most significant infrastructure projects is completed today, Thursday (23/7).

The inauguration ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. at the 167-kilometre mark of the motorway, attended by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

The opening of the final 46-kilometre stretch between Kalambaka and Grevena brings the entire 182.1-kilometre E65 motorway into full operation. The route connects the Athens–Thessaloniki–Evzoni (A1) motorway with the Egnatia Motorway. Built by TERNA, the project forms part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and establishes a new strategic development corridor for Greece.

The completed motorway is expected to significantly reduce travel times. The journey from Athens to Grevena can now be completed in around four hours, while access to Western Macedonia and Epirus is greatly improved, enhancing both road safety and freight transport.

The E65 stretches for 182.1 kilometres and is one of Greece’s most important national infrastructure projects. As part of the TEN-T network, it has been a national and European priority, strengthening connectivity between the A1 motorway and the Egnatia Motorway while improving transport links across Greece and Southeastern Europe.

The motorway features two traffic lanes in each direction, plus an emergency lane, and has been built entirely along a new alignment, creating a direct connection between eastern and western Greece.

With the opening of the final 46-kilometre section, drivers now have access to the full length of the modern motorway, extending from its junction with the A1 motorway to its interchange with the Egnatia Motorway. Major tourist destinations, including Meteora, Lake Plastiras, Karpenisi and Trikala, are now more easily, quickly and safely accessible, while the project is expected to provide a significant boost to regional development.

Driver Services

Throughout the motorway, motorists have access to Central Odos road safety and customer services, including:

• 24-hour road safety patrols
• 24-hour emergency hotline (1075)
• Free roadside assistance for vehicle breakdowns
• Customer service hotline (801 700 7000)
• Motorist service areas (rest stops)

Technical Highlights

• 14 interchanges and 4 semi-interchanges
• 5 twin tunnels, including the 3-kilometre T2 Tunnel through the Othrys mountain range
• 31 bridges, including the 595-metre Pineios River Bridge
• 114 overpasses and underpasses
• 8 dual-sided and 2 single-sided parking and rest areas
• 4 control and maintenance centres
• 4 tunnel control centres
• 1 traffic management centre
• 3 traffic police buildings and 1 fire service building
• 4 motorway service stations (Lianokladi, Sofades, Raxa and Karpero), with only the Lianokladi and Sofades stations currently operational
• 1 customer service point at the Trikala main toll station (towards Lamia)
• 4 main toll plazas and 5 side toll stations

The completion of the E65 is expected to transform road transport to Western Thessaly and Western Macedonia, supporting trade, tourism and agricultural production. It also creates a more efficient transport corridor linking the Port of Igoumenitsa—Greece’s gateway to Central Europe—with the Port of Volos, facilitating international passenger and freight transport between Greece and Western and Central Europe.

In addition, the new motorway provides a shorter alternative route and reduces total travel time from the Port of Piraeus to the western Balkans by approximately two hours.