Road Axis PATRA - ATHENS - THESSALONIKI - EVZONI «PATHE»

 
Significance of this project.

The main road axis of the country, with a total length of 730 km, after taking account of an anticipated shortening by 40 km due to the Maliakos Bay Junction, connects Patra, Athens, Thessaloniki and the Border (PATHE), belongs to the Trans-European Roadway Network and will be upgraded to a modern highway.

This road axis has been redesigned as a restricted entry highway in accordance with European Standards. Its construction is being promoted in a consistent and scheduled manner.
Upon completion of the works, we will have a modern 2-lane or 3-lane dual Highway, with emergency lanes, central median with metal or New Jersey safety barriers, a large number of interchanges, tunnels, bridges, major and minor structures, overpasses and underpasses and also an extended service road network.

Until now, 217 km have been completed, 232 km are under construction, with ongoing contacts, 31 km are about to be awarded, 65 km are at the design stage, and 81 km are at the preliminary design stage.
It is estimated that by the year 2000 the largest part of PATHE will have been completed.

The PATHE Highway project will cost 600 billion drachmas. The value of works completed and under completion now, is 400 billion drachmas.

The project is financed by European and National Funds. The Community funds come from European Fund for Regional Development (Program for Accesses and Road Axises), amounting to 134 billion drs. and from the Cohesion Fund, amounting to 72 billion drs. In addition there are prospects for borrowing from the European Investment Bank.

The PATHE Highway holds a key role, since it crosses the largest part of Greece, uniting 6 regions, 11 prefectures, 16 cities, 9 major ports and 6 airports, thus, largely contributing to the economic and social development of the country.

 
It serves many operations and purposes, such as :

a) The significant needs for interurban transportation, especially at the Athens - Korinth Axis and the Athens - Yliki - Katerini - Thessaloniki Axis.
b) The road corridor North - South which ensures a balanced regional development in the country since it passes across a large number of prefectures (Attica, Ahaia, Corinth, Viotia, Larissa, Magnesia, Katerini, Thessaloniki).
c) The connection with almost all the remaining prefectures of the main land, either through provincial roads or through other major road axises, such as Egnatia Road, the West Axis (Kalamata - Patra - Rio - Antirio - Igoumenitsa) the Korinth - Tripoli - Kalamata branch and the new Halkida bridge.
d) Ensuring direct acess to all major urban centers of Greece (Patras, Athens, Lamia, Larissa, Thessaloniki), to the north and north-east borders of the country, to the developing neighbouring countries in the Balkan Region and to the European countries, throufh Italy and via the Patra port, thus contributing and facilitating the development of relations with those countries (cultural, tourist, economic) with apparent significant benefits for our country.

For the efficient project management of the PATHE Highway Works,a Special Service, EYDE/PATHE has been established by the General Secretariat of Public Works. This Service is responsible for management, design and execution of works. EYDE/PATHE consists of the Central Service (located in Athens, 205 Alexandras Avenue) and of the construction sections on site (Patra - Athens - Thiva - Lamia - Larissa - Thessaloniki).
The Service in order to be supported in its work has apponted two Joint Ventures as management consultants, by International Tender. For the Northern Section, the J/V Mott Berger, and for the Southern Section the J/V Sogelerg Ing. - OMEK - LAHMEYER are being employed.