The key priorities in the infrastructure sector were presented by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, speaking at FinForum 2023, which is held under the auspices of the Hellenic Banking Association. In his first appearance after the programmatic statements, Mr. Staikouras underlined that the development plan for Greece in 2030 includes a total of 188 important projects, with a total budget of 27.6 billion euros.

Flagship projects have a dominant position in this planning, with the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport providing some details on the progress of the works. First and best is the Thessaloniki metro, with a budget of over 2 billion euros. “It is expected to serve, within 2024, approximately 300,000 mobile compatriots of ours daily. It is estimated that by the end of 2023, the final drawing of its new extensions will have been finalised, so that the maturation of the tender for the – priority – extension to the north-west will proceed within the four-year period that begins. Soon, after the delivery of the main project, the extension to Kalamaria will also be put into operation,” noted Mr. Staikouras.

The second flagship project is the E-65 highway, which as a whole is expected to be completed within four years, while the Lamia – Xyniada section is estimated to be delivered by the beginning of 2024. The third is the Patras – Pyrgos highway. “Work started in March 2022 and has achieved more than 15% implementation progress. The project is expected to be completed in 2025,” said Mr. Staikouras. The fourth emblematic project is the road connection Aktio – Amvrakia, which will be completed within 2023 and the fifth is the Northern Road Axis of Crete. As the Minister announced, all fronts will be opened by 2024, the Neapolis – Agios Nikolaos and Hersonissos – Neapolis sections have been contracted and their construction is expected to be completed within four years, while in the meantime the construction of the section will also be launched Chania – Hersonissos.

Sixth emblematic Project is Line 4 of the Athens Metro, with preliminary works at 50%. “The first metropontic has already traveled the first 30 meters and is in the phase of systematizing the excavation. The second one is already in Greece and is expected to start in the fall,” said Mr. Staikouras. The emblematic projects also include the Chalkida – Psachni bypass and the Bralos – Amfissa section.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport also referred to the planning and implementation of the major railway projects that will connect the six major ports to the railway network, highlighting the country’s role as a transit hub. Finally, he announced significant investments in land improvement and irrigation infrastructures, emphasizing that the irrigation works of the Valtos-Amfilochia area, in Bramiano of Ierapetra, the Enipea dam and the Tavronitis dam have already been auctioned. To these will be added 63 large irrigation projects, with a budget of 784,000,000 euros, which are in different stages of maturity, the implementation of which will be accelerated.