This afternoon, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will inaugurate the significant 65 km section of the new Patras–Pyrgos motorway, from Kaminia to Pyrgos, in the presence of the political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, as well as representatives from Western Greece.

Thanks to the new road, Olympia Odos now links Patras to Pyrgos in only 45 minutes, and Athens to Pyrgos in 2 hours and 45 minutes — offering greater safety and convenience.

According to the official announcement, the section from Kaminia to Pyrgos will open to drivers at 12:00 noon on Friday, August 1, 2025.

With the addition of the Patras–Pyrgos section, Olympia Odos becomes the third-largest motorway in Greece, totaling 277 km in length. It directly connects three regions — Western Attica, the Peloponnese, and Western Greece — and has a direct impact on two more — Epirus and the Ionian Islands.

It ensures connectivity between the capital and Greece’s most important gateway to Europe, the Port of Patras, as well as the ports of Kyllini, Katakolo, and the Araxos Airport.

This is a multimodal infrastructure project that energizes Western Greece and supports balanced regional development.

Tolls & Access:
Tolls will apply in the Kyllini–Pyrgos zone (29 km), while the section from Mintilogli to Kyllini (46 km) — including the remaining under-construction 10 km from Mintilogli to Kaminia — will be toll-free until construction is completed, expected by November 2025.

Patras–Pyrgos is Greece’s first fully automated motorway to operate exclusively with electronic tolling and Automatic Payment Machines.

The VALUE discount program is also being extended to the new toll stations, offering tiered discounts of 15% to 60% for category 1 and 2 vehicles, depending on usage frequency and toll station.

Technical Specifications:

• Length: 74.8 km
• Lanes: 2 lanes + emergency lane (LEA) per direction, separated by a central median
• Interchanges: 9
• Bridges: 15
• Overpasses & Underpasses: 66 (27 overpasses & 39 underpasses)
• Culverts: 150
• Retaining Walls: 7,250 meters
• Motorist Service Areas: 4
• Technical Base: 1, including a backup Traffic Management Center and highway police facilities
• Customer Service Points: 2
• Toll Stations: 2 mainline & 2 lateral stations

Road Safety and Accident Reduction:

A key benefit of the project is improved road safety. The modern design and safety standards of the new motorway are expected to significantly reduce accidents and enhance travel conditions. In fact, based on international estimates of the economic cost of traffic fatalities, the losses previously incurred in the region exceed the construction cost of the new road — underscoring the importance of completing the project.

Example from the Corinth–Patras Motorway:
Since the concession began, fatalities on that route have dropped by 91%, highlighting why for every European, the word “motorway” is synonymous with safety.

Employment Impact:

More than 1,400 people — including engineers, construction workers, and local subcontractors — were employed during the construction of the Patras–Pyrgos section. Indirect employment is estimated at an additional ~2,000 jobs, with the project boosting local GDP by approximately 6% annually during construction.

Economic Development:

According to the Western Greece and Peloponnese Road Axis Observatory, during the motorway’s operational phase, GDP in Achaia and Ilia is expected to increase by 2–3% annually due to tourism, agriculture, and road maintenance activities. Ilia could see growth of up to 5%.

Connection to Ancient Olympia:

The project also improves access from Athens — the country’s main entry point — to Ancient Olympia, a global destination of historical significance. Despite its fame, the area has been difficult to access, making this road essential for boosting cultural tourism and visitor convenience.

Link to Ionian Islands & Tourism Growth:

Ilia serves as a gateway to Ionian islands like Zakynthos and Kefalonia, which have experienced strong tourism growth. The new motorway will enhance access to the islands, further supporting their tourism economies.

Key Milestones:

• August 4, 2008: Original Olympia Odos concession contract signed
• November 2010: Financing suspended due to the financial crisis
• June 2011: Construction halted
• December 17, 2013: Project restart agreement signed (Law 4219/2013); Patras–Pyrgos–Tsakona section excluded from concession
• August 31, 2017: Completion of Corinth–Patras section
• January 2020: Memorandum signed to reintegrate Patras–Pyrgos into the concession project
• December 2021: Approval by the European Commission (DG Comp) and ratification of reintegration agreement by Greek Parliament
• March 2022: Construction works resume on Patras–Pyrgos
• July 2025: 65 km Kaminia–Pyrgos section opened to traffic
• November 2025: 10 km Mintilogli–Kaminia section expected to open