Greece seeks EU funding for final Olympia Odos highway section

The Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is preparing a proposal for the European Commission to fund the final section of the Olympia Odos highway, covering the Pyrgos-Kalo Nero-Tsakona stretch. The ministry aims to secure funding for the entire 90-kilometer axis rather than just the initial sub-section from Pyrgos to Ancient Olympia.

To support the request, officials are citing traffic data showing that daily vehicle movement is 15% higher than original study projections. The project's estimated cost ranges from €700 million to €1 billion. One proposed 'low-cost' scenario involves a €700 million budget featuring mild alignments and small tunnels to minimize the environmental footprint in the sensitive Zacharos region, utilizing a 2+2 lane closed motorway design without an emergency lane.

Alternative technical solutions are being evaluated, including an eastern alignment through the Lapitha mountain range which could require a tunnel up to 10 km long. However, such a long tunnel is considered potentially prohibitive for funding. Minister Christos Dimas stated that the ministry is currently reviewing data to finalize the dossier for submission to DG Grow to obtain the necessary preliminary approval.