Greece has finalized plans for a highway linking Ioannina to the Kakavia border with Albania, aiming to improve travel and strengthen cross-border ties.
The Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport said the construction contract would be signed soon, with work expected to start shortly after. The 70-kilometer highway, stretching from Ioannina to Albania’s border, is set to open by spring 2029.
The €290 million project is part of the EU-backed “Blue Corridor,” a 1,500-kilometer road network connecting eight countries, including Albania, Greece, and Croatia. The road will be built in two sections: Ioannina–Kalpaki (46.4 km) and Kalpaki–Kakavia (23.1 km).
Officials said the highway will cut travel times, improve access to remote areas, and support Albania’s border communities, which have been affected by emigration. It’s also expected to boost trade and tourism between the two countries.
Delays caused by the pandemic slowed progress on Albania’s part of the Blue Corridor, a 315-kilometer stretch, but it remains a priority for the country.
Greece’s new road, after 20 years of planning and debate, is seen as an important step for EU-funded infrastructure projects in the Balkans, helping to encourage growth and regional cooperation.
