The major projects underway in Crete, such as the BOAK and the new airport in Kastelli, concern Cretans first and foremost, emphasized Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, during a discussion with journalist Alasdair Ross at The Economist event titled “Investing in Change: How Crete is Being Transformed,” held in Chania.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport described the BOAK as “the government’s last major pending issue regarding modern highways,” noting that construction sites are now operational on all three sections of the project. Specifically: on the main section of the Heraklion–Chania concession, 157 kilometers long, which includes the 30-kilometer Kissamos–Chania extension, as well as on the other two sections: Chersonissos–Neapoli (via a PPP), and the public works project Neapoli–Agios Nikolaos.
“Upon completion of the project, a modern, closed-loop highway with a total length of 225 kilometers will be created, stretching from Kissamos to Agios Nikolaos in Lasithi,” said Mr. Dimas, adding that the Ministry is also funding the studies for the extension of the BOAK to Sitia.
Regarding road safety improvements on seven high-risk sections of the existing BOAK, aimed at immediately reducing traffic accidents, the Minister said that work has been completed on the Chania – Kolymbari and Heraklion Landfill – Linoperamata, and work on the remaining sections will take place this summer: Souda – Georgioupolis, Rethymno–Geropotamos, Petres–Atsipopoulo, Kissamos–Kolymbari, and Geropotamos–Heraklion Landfill.
The Minister set a target for the new Heraklion International Airport in Kastelli to be operational by the end of 2028, adding that it will be one of the most modern in Europe and will have a direct connection to the BOAK.
Progress on the construction phase of the project is nearing 70%, and at the same time, procedures regarding the new airport’s operational and air navigation systems have been set in motion.
The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport emphasized that Crete plays a central role in Greece’s participation in the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T).
“The new flagship infrastructure projects create the conditions for the island to become a critical hub for transportation, tourism, trade, and energy in the Eastern Mediterranean, within the framework of the new Europe–India Economic Corridor (IMEC),” Mr. Dimas stated.
Concluding his remarks, he noted that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is also implementing very important water resource management projects on the island, which are of enormous significance for the local economy.