The progress of the extensive programme of projects being implemented in Crete was highlighted by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas, during his presentation at “Crete Forward: Experience, Culture and Connection”, as part of a discussion organised by the travel.gr website in cooperation with Proto Thema.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport said that Crete is currently at the centre of one of the largest infrastructure programmes being implemented in the country, with two flagship projects, the North Road Axis of Crete (BOAK) and the new Heraklion International Airport at Kastelli, standing out.

“The BOAK was the last outstanding issue of the state regarding motorways,” Dimas said.

Speaking about the new motorway, he noted that construction sites are already operating on the Agios Nikolaos-Neapolis and Neapolis-Hersonissos sections, as well as on the bypasses in Chania, Rethymnon and Heraklion, which involve the construction of the main section Chania-Hersonissos, 157 km long, which is extended westward with the option for the section Kissamos-Chania, 30 km long.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport stressed that the government is utilising the resources of the Recovery and Resilience Fund for the implementation of the new road axis, which will contribute significantly to improving the level of road safety and connectivity on the island.

“What matters is that we are not waiting until the new road is built to improve the level of road safety. We are moving forward with immediate interventions,” he said.

He added that improvement works are already underway at seven high-risk points on the existing network to reduce road accidents.

“The measures are in place on the sections Kolymbari-Chania and Heraklion-HYTA-Linoperamata. The procedure for starting the interventions in three more high-risk sections has recently been activated: Souda-Georgioupolis, Rethymno-Geropotamos and Petres-Atsipopoulo, while the other two sections are also being launched: Kissamos-Kolimbari and Geropotamos-HYTA Heraklion,” the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport added.

Referring to the new Heraklion International Airport in Kastelli, he said that it will be the most modern airport in the country and the progress of the project has, today, reached almost 70%.

Dimas stressed that an agreement was recently signed for the supply of modern air navigation equipment in accordance with the international standards ICAO, EASA and EUROCONTROL, in order to install the latest technological systems at the new airport.

Asked about the modernization of the country’s air navigation systems, the Minister noted that the Action Plan drawn up in cooperation with the European Commission, EUROCONTROL and EASA, which provides for both the administrative modernization of the CAA and the upgrading of technological air navigation systems, is being implemented.

The second part, as mentioned by Mr. Dimas, includes the installation of new radars, VHF transceivers, VoIP and Data Link systems, as well as the supply of a new VCRS System for the Athens and Macedonia Control Centres.

Concluding his statement, Dimas said: “With the BOAK, the new airport in Kastelli, water management projects, school renovations and other important local projects, we are creating an integrated infrastructure system that supports the economy, enhances safety and improves the quality of life of our fellow citizens in Crete.”