Amajor step forward for road safety and connectivity in Western Greece will take place at noon on August 1, as the Kaminia–Pyrgos section of the new Patras–Pyrgos motorway officially opens to traffic. The 65-kilometer stretch is more than just a vital infrastructure upgrade—it is the country’s first fully automated motorway, operating exclusively with electronic toll payment systems.
The long-awaited opening aims to bring an end to years of hazardous travel along the existing route, which has been plagued by accidents. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Nikolaos Tachiaos, speaking to public broadcaster ERT, described the existing road as a “death trap,” revealing that it had averaged 13 fatalities per year.
He stressed that the new section represents not just an upgrade in safety, but also a significant engineering achievement.
“A major part of the project is being delivered, not only in record time but also with top-tier specifications,” Tachiaos said, highlighting the inclusion of flood protection systems, interchanges, and high-quality construction.
Toll Operations Begin August 1
The concessionaire, Olympia Odos, announced that the section will be open to the public from 12:00 pm on Friday, August 1. At the same time, toll collection will begin for the Kyllini–Pyrgos zone (29 km), while the Mintilogli–Kyllini zone (46 km), which includes segments still under construction, will remain toll-free until the project is complete.
Specifically, toll booths will become operational at the main station in Pyrgos and the side station in Amaliada, with charges applying for vehicles entering or exiting in either direction through Pyrgos.
The remaining 9 kilometers of the motorway, completing the connection to Patras, are expected to be delivered by November, bringing the full length of the new route into service before the end of the year.
Source: Tovima.com
