The decision to exercise the option for the Chania-Kissamos extension of the VOAK was signed on 15th December by the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, in the presence of the Deputy Minister Nikos Tachiaos and the General Secretary for Infrastructure Dimitris Anagnopoulos. A major turnout of local government figures and MPs signalled not only its importance for the local community but also, as explained by the ministers, its critical importance in the execution of the project as a whole. It was also a reassuring move for the residents of West Crete, who when the extension was first announced as an optional addition to the main contract, feared that the prospects for its completion might fade into the distance.
The central and local government representatives present all went on record in welcoming the development, as reported in a Ministry press release:
The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport
During the signing ceremony, the Minister Christos Dimas said: “With the activation of the optional section from Kissamos to Chania, the VOAK is being extended to the west, exactly as we had announced in May, when the concession agreement for the main, Chania-Heraklion segment of the VOAK was signed. This means that the agreement now includes the construction of the new road axis – the first with motorway status on an island – from Hersonissos to Kissamos of Chania, a total length now of 187 km with the addition of the 30 km of the extension.”
The Minister noted that the exercise of the option, six months before the time limit specified in the agreement, covers a basic prerequisite for the start of the concession, which is the biggest section of the project. And he added: “The Northern Road Axis of Crete is a project which is already under way, with the execution of works on the publicly-funded section from Agios Nikolaos to Neapoli and the public-private partnership on the section from Neapoli to Hersonissos.”
Mr Dimas also said: “On the Chania-Heraklion section of the concession, we have had the first construction sites opened on the bypasses at Chania and Rethymnon, while the Heraklion bypass will follow. Also under way are road safety improvements at two points: Chania-Kolymbari and Heraklion-Linoperamata, and in 2026 we will have road safety improvements at five points. At the same time we have funded studies to take us as far as Sitia.”
In conclusion, Mr Dimas said: “We have an overall strategy for the VOAK, with different completion dates for different parts. However, the common position and will of the government and the Prime Minister is that we should be able to keep to the schedule and the budgets, so that we will finally have a modern motorway which will connect Crete from one end to the other.”
The Deputy Minister for Infrastructure
Deputy Minister Nikos Tachiaos said: “The signing of the decision to exercise the option gives the impetus for the VOAK project to go full steam ahead, in particular the concession for Hersonissos-Kastelli. While designated as an option in the agreement, in practice its adoption signals the official start of the construction of one of the most vital and interesting sections of the VOAK, which is being implemented as a concession.
“It is the section which carries the major traffic load in the project as a whole, and it was precisely that reason which was decisive for its funding. With today’s signing, the concessionaire is able to close its outstanding issues with the banks, ensuring both its own financial participation and that of the State as regards its future commitments. And that is very important in order for us to see construction sites all across Crete.
“This is essentially the challenge of the coming days. Apart from the sites working on road safety, beyond the active agreements, beyond the new sites on the bypasses which are being funded by the [EU’s] Recovery and Resilience Fund, and beyond the tunnel at Aptera, the way is now open for Crete to become what the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised from the beginning: “a limitless construction site”.
The General Secretary for Infrastructure
General Secretary for Infrastructure Dimitris Anagnopoulos said: “Today marks the long-drawn-out completion of the tendering process for a major project, and the day for the initiation of the concession, which is given a five-year term for its completion, will shortly be here. It is a project with a length of around 187 km, which during the period of its construction will give the opportunity for individual sections to be delivered early to the users.”
The Deputy Minister for Immigration and Asylum
Deputy Minister and Chania MP Sevi Voloudaki emphasised that: “Activating the option for the section from Kissamos to Chania is a crucial development for Chania and for Crete as a whole. A section of about 30 km is now being included in a statutorily secure manner in the overall plan for the VOAK, with a clear and specific framework for completion. The VOAK thus passes into the essential phase of implementation, increasing safety of movement, the operability of the road axis and creating strong developmental prospects, especially for Western Crete. It is a project of national and strategic importance, which responds to long-standing needs and contributes fundamentally to improving the quality of life and the safety of citizens throughout the island.”
Chania MP Dora Bakogianni
In a post on Facebook Mrs Bakogianni said: “The activation of the option for the Kissamos-Chania section of the VOAK constitutes an essential and necessary step for the completion of the project. Congratulations are due to the political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport for the initiative, and the rapid action taken to exercise the option without delays.
“I thank the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Mr Christos Dimas, the Deputy Minister Mr Nikos Tachiaos and the General Secretary for Infrastructure Mr Anastasios Anagnopoulos for their contribution and cooperation.”
Chania MP Alexandros Makrogiannakis
Mr Makrogiannakis observed: “today one more step was taken towards the completion of the great developmental project of the VOAK with the signature for the optional section from Chania to Kastelli. The project is moving forward and is finally becoming a reality for Crete and for Chania, which have been in need of it for decades. The work being carried out by the Ministry and the proper cooperation between all concerned are bringing us results and bringing us ever close to the acquisition of an ultramodern and safe motorway which will truly cover the traffic needs of Crete.”
The Regional Governor of Crete
Regional Governor Stavros Arnautakis said: “Today’s signature of the concession agreement is the culmination of decades of discussion. We agreed on the option for Kissamos, recognising the high daily volume of visitor traffic to the area. At the same time the section from Hersonissos to Neapoli and Agios Nikolaos is proceeding at a very satisfactory rate. I visit the site almost every week and can see that the progress is significant.
“However, I want to repeat that for us VOAK means Kissamos to Sitia. I urge you to give priority to the remaining section, starting from the Pachia Ammos bypass, with a budget of €56 million, so that the citizens of Ierapetra and Sitia can see the section being implemented and know that the VOAK is reaching their own region. I would like to thank the leadership of the Infrastructure Ministry, since it is being demonstrated in practice that when we work together and speak the same language, we can carry out even the most demanding projects, such as the VOAK.”
The contractor’s representative
On behalf of the contractor, the General Director for Business Development and Executive Member of the Board of Directors of the GEK TERNA Group Manos Moustakas said: “It is a commendable and remarkable achievement that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has managed to bring this difficult work to fruition in only six months. The fact that you now have the possibility to exercise the right of option, that is to say actually to add the Kissamos-Chania section to the rest of the route, is not only necessary contractually and formally, but also practically and from the transport viewpoint. It completes the project and the access which this needs to have in a westerly direction. It is a difficult piece of work but with the cooperation of all we can bring it off.”
Also present at the signing were the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris and the Mayor of Platanias Giannis Malandrakis.
(Ministry press release, Haniotika Nea)
Approval of the environmental conditions for the extension
A prior condition for the Chania-Kissamos extension to go ahead was the approval of the environmental conditions for the project by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy. This was given in a ministerial decision published on 8th December and reported in the Haniotika Nea on 10th December. The decision specified the route of the extension, which will start at the Vamvakopoulo interchange in Chania and end just outside Kissamos.
The published map of the route shows six multi-level interchanges between these two points, at Galatas, Platanias, Tavronitis, Kolymbari, Kalydonia and Nopigia, matching those on the existing highway. The map also shows the road continuing to link up with the proposed Kissamos bypass, which will end at the port of Kavonisi, and according to the Haniotika Nea’s report the bypass is to be incorporated into the overall plan following representations from the Municipality of Kissamos.