The gradual development of the Northern Road Axis of Crete (BOAK) is now under way, following the handover of the first 10 kilometres of the Neapoli–Agios Nikolaos section to the Greek state by the AKTOR Group.
The section handed over to Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas is part of the major public works project “Conversion into a motorway of the Northern Road Axis of Crete, Neapoli–Agios Nikolaos section, in the Regional Unit of Lasithi”, which the group is carrying out.
AKTOR Group Chief Operating Officer and chief executive of AKTOR Constructions and AKTOR Holdings, Anastasios Aranitis, said: “Today we are handing over the first 10 kilometres of the Northern Road Axis of Crete to the Greek state, and this gives us great satisfaction. BOAK is a demanding project being carried out in exceptionally difficult and challenging geotechnical conditions. Dozens of engineers and our experienced technical staff are working consistently and with dedication to ensure the project progresses at a rapid pace. BOAK is a difficult challenge, with many obstacles, but we are confident that we will see it through.”
Project features
The project’s main scope is to upgrade and widen the existing Neapoli–Agios Nikolaos section and turn it into a modern, safe motorway, with two traffic lanes and a hard shoulder, and three grade-separated interchanges at Neapoli, Limnes and Agios Nikolaos. Once completed, it will complete the major BOAK project in eastern Crete, providing a safe route on a controlled-access motorway stretching 14.5 km.
The construction group is involved across BOAK, participating in all three sections under development as part of Greece’s largest road project. In the Chania–Heraklion section, which forms BOAK’s main trunk route, it holds a 36% stake in the concession company and a 30% stake in the construction consortium.
The modern road corridor, which will stretch for a total of 187 kilometres, will improve road safety and significantly reduce journey times. The group is also part of the consortium building the Hersonissos–Neapoli project, which is being delivered through a public-private partnership (PPP).
The company is investing strategically in Crete, delivering major transport, building and water infrastructure projects that will improve people’s daily lives, strengthen the island’s economy and contribute to social cohesion and resilience in the face of the climate crisis.