Greece to Extend Ionia Motorway by 70 km, Connecting Ioannina to Albanian Border

Photo source: GEK Terna

A new contract for the extension of the Ionia Odos Motorway, connecting the city of Ioannina in northwestern Greece with the Kakavia crossing on the Greek-Albanian border, was signed on Thursday.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who attended the signing ceremony, emphasized the strategic importance of the motorway extension for regional development. He highlighted its role in improving connectivity with Albania and enhancing road safety.

The Prime Minister described the new road as a “bridge of friendship” between Greece and Albania, stressing its national significance due to its proximity to the Greek minority in Albania.

Mitsotakis also noted that the Region of Epirus, once considered isolated, now enjoys the best connectivity in Greece, thanks to the motorways of Egnatia, Ionia, and E65 (expected to be fully complete within the first 4 months of 2026).

Over 70 Kilometers of Infrastructure

Transport Minister Christos Staikouras. Photo source: Transport Ministry

The contract was signed by Dimitrios Anagnopoulos, Deputy General Director of Transportation Infrastructure at the Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation, and Konstantinos Mitzalis, CEO of the AVAX Group construction company.

Greek Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, emphasized the multiple benefits of the new motorway. Stretching over 70 kilometers, it will be the westernmost highway connecting with the Egnatia Motorway. Staikouras described the project as technically demanding, consisting of two sections, 12 exit and entrance points, five bridges, one tunnel, and multiple passageways.

Two sections

Section 1: Ioannina – Kalpaki: Starting from the elevated interchange of Egnatia and ending at the elevated interchange of Kalpaki, with a total length of 46.4 kilometers on a new alignment. This section includes six elevated interchanges.

Section 2: Kalpaki – Kakavia: Starting from the end of the elevated interchange at Kalpaki and ending at the Kakavia border station, with a total length of 23.11 kilometers, which will involve upgrading the existing road.

“This road is of cross-border importance as it links two major motorways crossing western and northern Greece, extending all the way to the Greek-Albanian border,” Staikouras said.

He further explained that the extension would provide the Region of Epirus with essential infrastructure that will foster both regional and national development.

Photo source: Transport Ministry

Additionally, Staikouras said the project will enhance social cohesion in the western and northern regions of Greece.

“It will also improve the quality of life for local residents by enhancing road safety in a high-traffic area,” he added.

The extension of the Ioannina-Kakavia motorway is part of the intra-European highway network. The project has a budget of nearly 310 million euros and is included in the 2021-2027 Transportation Program under the new National Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA).

According to the ministry, the completion and delivery of the project is expected within 54 months from the signing of the contract, which means by mid-2029.