Construction
The construction of the E65 is a project of strategic importance for Greece’s national and regional development. Built entirely on a new alignment, the motorway effectively connects Eastern and Western Greece. With its completion, the E65 links Central Greece to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), connects the ports of Igoumenitsa and Volos, and completes the country’s transport network at both regional and local levels.
The motorway’s key technical features include:
- 14 interchanges and 4 semi-interchanges
- 5 twin tunnels, including the T2 Tunnel, the longest on the motorway at 3 km, crossing the Othrys mountain range (Moschokaria)
- 31 bridges, including the Pineios Bridge, the longest at 595 m
- 114 overpasses and underpasses
- 8 Parking and Rest Areas (PRAs), including one towards Egnatia and one towards Lamia
- 4 Operation and Maintenance Centres (OMCs)
- 1 Traffic Management Centre (TMC)
- 4 Tunnel Control Centres (TCCs)
- 3 Fire and Traffic Police Stations
- 4 Motorist Service Stations (MSSs) located at Lianokladi, Sofades, Raxa and Agiofyllo. Currently, only the Lianokladi and Sofades MSSs are in operation.
- 1 Customer Service Point, located at the Trikala Frontal Toll Station
- 4 frontal toll stations and 5 lateral toll stations
Financing
In mid 2007, following an international tender, Kentriki Odos undertook the design, planning, construction, operation, exploitation, and maintenance of the ‘Aftokinitodromos Kentrikis Ellados – E65’ Concession project.
The project budget exceeds 1.4 billion Euros and the full description of the financing model is included in the Concession Agreement.
Essentially, the project’s financing comes from a combination of equity, bank loans, European & Greek State funds, and the contribution of the project’s users.