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Ionia Odos





The Ionia Odos (Greek: Ιόνια Οδός), sometimes called ''Ionian Highway'' in English, will be a motorway running through the western part of Greece. The total length will be 384 km, of which 196 km will be from Rio to Ioannina. It will become a part of the E55 on its full length, along with the non-motorway part of Kakavia - Ioannina. The motorway will open to traffic at around 2012.

Cities along the route


*Antirrio
*Messolonghi
*Agrinio
*Amfilochia
*Menidi, Aetolia-Acarnania
*Arta
*Ioannina

Construction


Construction began in 2001 on an interchange outside Messolongi near Aitoliko along Greek National Road 5 with a paved section built up to near Angelokastro. Construction stopped shortly after, with rumors of funding problems with the builders.

In late 2006, Greece signed a €1.4 billion deal with a Greek-Spanish consortium consisting of construction firms ''GEK Group of Companies SA'', ''Terna SA'', ''Cintra SA'', and ''Actividades de Construccion y Servicios''. The consortium will build and operate the road, receiving toll fees for 30 years, while investing a combined €1.15 billion in the project. The rest of the funds will be provided by the European Union and the Greek government. Construction was reported to start by May 2007 with a completion date of 72 months.[http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/19/europe/EU_GEN_Greece_Western_Highway.php Greece signs €1.4 billion deal for west coat highway - Europe - International Herald Tribune] The bill was later ratified on March 28, 2007.[http://www.greekembassy.org/Embassy/content/en/Article.aspx?office=10&folder=19&article=20177 Bill on Ionian Highway ratified by Parliament]

Construction reportedly resumed in 2007 on the existing section, with construction toward Rigani and Kouvara. The final completion date will be around 2012.

Interchanges


Below are the planned interchanges with their current status[http://motorways-exitlists.com/europe/gr/a5.htm A5 Ιόνια Oδóς (Ionia Odos)]:



Ionia_Odos
Source: Wikipedia