The overall upgrading of the capital’s transport network with the aim of limiting the use of IX. And now it is a strategy of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in the future, the Minister Christos Dimas emphasizes in an interview with RES-EIA.

He also announced that the intervention at the Transfiguration Node with the construction and the second exit would be completed in 2026. It also states that in the autumn, the competition for the construction of the triple Schisto Road Node, which in combination with the upgrading of the Aigaleo western regional regional, will help to relieve traffic in Kifissos.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport presents the timetables in all major projects being carried out in the country, while in recent delays at airports, he stresses that they are due to artificial restrictions applied by air traffic auditors. He emphasizes, however, that the ministry is reinforcing the human resources of the CAA with new recruitment. “

For the Thessaloniki Metro, Mr. Dimas emphasizes that “the completion of the expansion to Kalamaria is the immediate priority of the ministry. The aim is for the project to be delivered to the citizens in the first quarter of 2026, with five new stations connecting Mikra with the center in just 15 minutes and serving at least 60,000 passengers daily. “

Following is a full interview by Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas to George Plylia:

Q. Mr Minister, Transporters argue that drivers lose 111 hours a year due to the traffic in the capital, with the biggest problem being observed on Kifissos Avenue. Are you studying a plan to condemn traffic on Kifissos Avenue where thousands of drivers suffer daily?

The traffic problem in Attica is a complex issue and is not just about the particular highway, which brings a very high traffic burden daily. The capacity of the road network cannot adequately cover the ever -increasing number of vehicles, and other factors, such as the extensive use of the car. or feeding the shops. With these data, the strategy of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport focuses on the overall upgrading of the transport network with the aim of limiting the use of car. Not only today, but also in the future. The new subway line is manufactured and the bus fleet is renewed, after many years, to form conditions of sustainable urban mobility and to provide reliable alternatives.

At the same time, of course, we are going on interventions in the infrastructure sector. A typical example is the congestion at the Transfiguration Node, where vehicles from the Attica Road to the Athens -Lamia Highway meet Elefsina Movement and two lanes end up in one, resulting in daily traffic. We have already announced that there will be a point intervention there: the strips will be separated so that drivers coming from Eleusis and about 150 meters below those who come from the airport will first enter. This project will be done in 2026.

Q. Do you think the triple hub of Schistos in conjunction with the upgrade of the West Regional Aigaleo is sufficient to deal with traffic on the regional roads?

We are currently working intensively to announce the call for the triple hub in Skaramanga in the fall.

The triple hub of Skaramanga, in conjunction with the upgrading of the Western Aigaleo Regional Avenue, are projects aimed at diversifying much of traffic from Kifissos, especially heavy vehicles.

On the basis of the design, the Western Aigaleo (DES) Western Regional Avenue (DES) will be connected to the Athens – Corinth Highway, and interventions will also be intervened at the Skaramanga, Schistou and Shipbuilding Nods.

At the same time, the project will offer an alternative route for travel from the Attica Road to Piraeus and the southwestern suburbs of the capital, contributing to the deconstruction of the saturated Kifissos Avenue.

Any intervention that contributes to traffic flow management can improve road traffic conditions, but we must realize that the construction of new roads is not a panacea for tackling traffic, as transported by transport. The combination of interventions is required and this is the policy implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

Q. Since 65 of the 75 kilometers of the Patras – Pyrgos Motorway have already been delivered, can you tell us if the timetable that provides for the surrender of the project at the end of November? And what follows in the country’s major roads in the near future?

The first 65 of the 75 kilometers have already been delivered on the Patras – Pyrgos highway. The timetable is observed and the remaining 10 km, which relates to the section at the entrance of Patras, will be reimbursed by the end of November. This completes a project that has been pending for years and now becomes a reality, essentially enhancing the area’s road safety and development perspective.

At the same time, significant progress is recorded on the front of large road projects throughout the country. The E65 motorway is proceeding at an intensive pace and its last 45.5 km long, is estimated to be completed by the second quarter of 2026.

In Crete, projects in BOAK are in full swing in Agios Nikolaos – Neapoli and Neapoli – Hersonissos, while the contract for the largest section, Heraklion – Chania, has already been signed, with the option of extending to Kissamos. In Thessaloniki, the progress of the construction of the rapid traffic high has exceeded 30%.

In addition, even more progress in critical projects, such as Kalamata – Rizomilos – Pylos – Methoni, bypass Chalkida and the Bralos – Amfissa road axis, are expected in the immediate period. At the same time, the process of Ioannina – Kakavia projects and the Drama – Amphipolis and Thessaloniki – Edessa road departments are proceeding, thereby enhancing the country’s transport map and development infrastructure.

Q. What is the report of the operation of the Thessaloniki Metro so far and what is the timetable for completing the expansion to Kalamaria to February? In addition, what are you planning for the next extensions of the medium?

The report of the operation of the Thessaloniki Metro in the first ten months is extremely positive. The Thessaloniki and visitors to the city have embraced the new medium, as proved by more than 22 million validated tickets and the over 115,000 personalized cards issued, with particularly high use in central stations and significant penetration of intact payments. It is also important that more than 40% of validations are lasting cards, which proves that the subway has already been included in the daily movements of hundreds of thousands of citizens, while also contributing to the reduction of IX traffic by up to 15%.

Completing the expansion to Kalamaria is our immediate priority. The aim is for the project to be delivered to the citizens in the first quarter of 2026, with five new stations connecting Mikra with the center in just 15 minutes and serving at least 60,000 passengers daily. For technical completion of the interconnection, temporary holidays will be needed in the operation of the basal line, which will be done in a way that will burden the passenger public as little as possible from November 10 to December 10. During the suspension of the subway operation, the passenger public will be served by the addition of a new OASTH line and the thickening of four other bus routes.

As for the future, the strategic planning for the Thessaloniki Metro provides for the expansion of the network to other areas of the metropolitan complex. According to the Thessaloniki Metro Development study, the northwestern direction is prioritized, where strong development potential is recorded. These are large and demanding projects that need deep studies to have a clear and realistic timetable for implementation.

Q. Mr Minister, there have been delays in flights in all airports in the country in recent days. Where are these and what do you respond to the objections of the auditors?

The delays observed in recent days are due to artificial restrictions implemented by air traffic controllers in the airspace serving the country’s airports, and in particular the “Eleftherios Venizelos”.

I would like to emphasize that the draft law does not in any way affect the salary status of the auditors, which is already privileged in relation to the rest of the public sector, as well as being reinforced by Eurocontrol’s special allowance. Indeed, we have recently met several demands in this category of workers: we have secured the “bonus” overproduction by 2027 and instituted independent taxation in the compensation of a specialty loss of EUR 240,000, with a tax profit of 40,000 euros. In addition, we established a hourly compensation of 50 euros for trainers.

The essential intervention, however, is that we are strengthening the human resources of the CAA with new recruitment to improve working conditions and the quality of air traffic control services.

Education of 80 new air traffic auditors have already been hired and begun, and in 2026 there will be another 72 by the same reservoir of successfuls of the relevant competition conducted by the.

In addition, we are reinforcing other critical field specialties, as the recruitment of 43 young scientists in the ASEP electronic industry is in the final stages, which is sought to complete in 2025. For 2026, the recruitment of 28 Airport Information Information Officers (AFISO) is also scheduled. ATTSEP.

Therefore, the objections that there is no care for the industry and support of air navigation with the specialized staff in need are not well founded.

Q. What is the government’s plan for air navigation, both at the level of modernization of infrastructure and staff reinforcement?

The modernization of the CAA is a common goal we have with employees and is implemented through the 364 -point action plan we have agreed with the European Commission, DG Move, EASA and Eurocontrol.

This plan is organized into seven main pillars and includes both the institutional reform of the CAA, by converting it into a legal entity public law for greater flexibility and modern administration, as well as the upgrading of air navigation technological infrastructure, to provide higher level services. In particular:

1. Coordination and monitoring of implementation.

2. Data Link Services Development.

3. Upgrading the Top Sky ATC One.

4. Performance navigation (PBN).

5. Mode S.

6. Implementation of CP1 Regulation and Improvements in Air Traffic Management.

7. Transforming the CAA.

Greece has already submitted to the European Commission the 3rd Progress Report and every six weeks we update the data, based on the progress that exists. Therefore, we are walking with a specific plan and we are convinced that the results of this effort will soon be starting to appear.