Greek Ministry Releases Funds for Corinth Canal Repairs

Photo © Greek Travel Pages (GTP)

The Greek Development & Investments Ministry announced this week that it would be releasing 9 million euros for studies and upgrade works on the Corinth Canal.

The canal a waterway, an important navigational route connecting the Gulf of Corinth in the Ionian Sea with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea cutting through the narrow Isthmus of Corinth and separating the Peloponnese from the Greek mainland.

The canal, which is also a main tourist attraction, was closed to ships last month due to rockslides. On Wednesday, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kostas Karamanlis signed a ministerial decision paving the way for works to start on the “high-priority” project.

More specifically, the funds will cover a topographical land survey and other studies as well as the work needed to restore the damaged areas, including a biological treatment unit.

“The ministry will be financing with 9 million euros studies and works for the restoration of damages to canal. The goal is for the Corinth Canal to reopen safely as soon as possible,” said Deputy Development & Investments Minister Christos Dimas.

According to the ministry, the project is “complex and of national importance” after the Peloponnese Region declared a state of emergency for the canal due to landslides.