The opening of the new Central Greece motorway has already significantly disrupted the monopoly of the A1 highway.
A big surprise awaited Easter travelers from Athens to Central Greece when they opened the GPS on their mobile phones to check the estimated arrival time at their destination.
This is because their Google Maps suggested choosing the new E65 motorway, instead of the A1 (Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzones) which previously held the monopoly on travel from southern to northern Greece (or vice versa).
For example, those who chose to travel from Athens to Larissa found that the familiar navigation application showed the E65 as the fastest route, with an estimated time of approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes, compared to 3 hours and 35 minutes via the A1 highway.
Of course, major beneficiaries of the E65 are those traveling to cities such as Trikala and Karditsa, with significant time savings, thanks to bypassing the well-known, but hazardous, turns in Domokos.
It’s noteworthy that according to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras, during the first days of operation of the Lamia-Kalambaka section of the E65, it accommodated more than 60,000 vehicle crossings, many of which diverted from the Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzones highway.
It’s worth noting that about 45 kilometers remain to complete the new E65 road axis from Kalambaka to the Egnatia Odos.
The number 112 will now accept video and photo calls and will guide those in danger
The Central Greece Motorway – E65, with a total length of 181.5 kilometers, is a project of crucial importance for our country. It connects Eastern with Western Greece, significantly contributes to the development of the Greek region, and is part of the Trans-European Transport Networks.
The E65 is entirely constructed on a new alignment, and its design is based on the most modern international standards, with absolute respect for the environment.
With these 181.5 kilometers of a modern, safe motorway, the port of Igoumenitsa – which serves as Greece’s gateway to Central Europe – will be connected to the port of Volos, giving an economic boost to many tourist destinations in Greece.
Upon its completion, with the delivery of the final 45 kilometers at the end of the resource utilization period from the Recovery Fund, the E65 will become the third vertical national axis of the mainland country.
