The E65 Central Greece Motorway is on the verge of full completion, promising to revolutionize travel between Athens and Grevena. This vital infrastructure project is set to cut travel time to just four hours, significantly enhancing connectivity and economic activity across Central and Western Greece.
Final Stretch for the E65 Motorway
The highly anticipated northern section of the E65 Motorway, specifically the critical segment from Kalabaka to Oxynia, is just months away from its official handover. Recent drone footage provides a compelling visual update, showcasing the advanced stage of construction and indicating that the project’s completion is imminent.
This 45.5-kilometer stretch is the last remaining part of the E65 to be finalized, linking the existing operational section from Lamia to Kalabaka with the Egnatia Odos near Grevena. The overall E65 motorway spans 182.1 kilometers, beginning at the Thermopylae interchange on the A.TH.E. motorway and extending to an interchange 15 kilometers west of Grevena on the Egnatia Odos.
Significant Progress and Timelines
Christos Dimas, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, during an inspection of the construction site in Grevena, confirmed that the project is progressing at a very good pace. He noted that any issues encountered have been addressed, and the archaeological services have completed their excavations, clearing the way for the scheduled delivery. According to Dimas, the final 45.5 kilometers are expected to be delivered for public use by the second quarter of 2026. [naftemporiki.gr](https://www.naftemporiki.gr/finance/economy/2000664/e65-etoima-to-v-trimino-toy-2026-ta-teleytaia-455-chlm-apo-kalampaka-eos-ton-komvo-tis-egnatias-sta-grevena/) [motomag.gr](https://www.motomag.gr/news/epikairotita/aytokinitodromos-e65-etoima-sta-mesa-toy-2026-ta-teleytaia-455-hlm) [myportal.gr](https://myportal.gr/christos-dimas-ta-teleytaia-45-5-chlm-toy-e65-apo-kalampaka-mechri-ton-komvo-tis-egnatias-sta-grevena-tha-einai-etoima-to-2o-trimino-toy-2026/) [driveandtravel.gr](https://driveandtravel.gr/sto-deytero-trimino-toy-2026-i-paradosi-kai-toy-voreioy-tmimatos-toy-e65/)
GEK TERNA, the construction group responsible for the E65, reported in October 2025 that the northern section was 87.7% complete, with tunnels almost finished, bridges at 99%, and earthworks in their final stages. Asphalt paving is also advancing rapidly, even in challenging mountainous areas. The company aims for full completion of the project within 2026. [mononews.gr](https://www.mononews.gr/business/gek-terna-e65-stin-teliki-eftheia-o-aftokinitodromos-pou-enonei-athina-kai-makedonia-poso-peftoun-oi-chronoi-taxidiou)
Impact on Travel and Economy
The E65 Motorway is poised to dramatically reduce travel times. The journey from Lamia to Egnatia Odos will decrease from 3 hours and 15 minutes to just 1 hour and 45 minutes. This will make cities like Grevena, Kastoria, Metsovo, Kozani, and Karpenisi more accessible than ever. Trikala will be less than three hours from Athens, and Karditsa just 2 hours and 35 minutes away.
Beyond facilitating daily commutes, the E65 will create a unified axis connecting the port of Igoumenitsa directly with the port of Volos. This will significantly boost Greece’s role in international transport, cutting the total travel time from Piraeus to the Western Balkans by up to two hours. This improved connectivity is expected to unlock new opportunities for the country’s commercial supply chain and stimulate tourism and economic activity throughout Northern and Central Greece.
The project is currently employing over 750 workers, highlighting its positive impact on regional employment. The E65 is seen as a transformative investment that will upgrade critical infrastructure, bring previously isolated areas closer, and set new developmental benchmarks for the entire country for decades to come.
Source: [iefimerida.gr](https://www.iefimerida.gr/ellada/o-dromos-e65-athina-grebena?amp)
