Public highways with profit of... millions for big contractors

In a previous publication, Newsbomb.gr revealed who are the big contractors exploiting the Greek motorways. The research of our website continues today brings to “light” their “projects”, for which some of them weren’t paid, but prepaid by the Greek state , to carry them out. The Greek governments always pretended to defend the interests of the Greek people, indulging in an unprecedented sellout of public works to large construction groups, some of which weren’t only “won” with a small fee, but went so far as management commitment and numerous tracks Greek motorways, which were already prepared by the Highway Fund.

To date the projects done are minimal, while simultaneously penalties for project delays are required considering the public at blame, increase tolls and seek additional financing. Let's see some examples of drawings that individuals have made causing questions:

Highway Athens - Lamia (“NEW ROUTE”)

This company has taken the part of the motorway approximately 172.5 km with authority area of interchanges Metamorphosis (Attica Road area) to the area of Skarfia, after Kammena Vourla, and the connecting branch of Shimatari - Chalkis length of 11 km. The company's website says that “the motorway have completed almost all of the proposed works and today is one of the most modern and safe highways of the country. Investing about 200 million euros, it turned this motorway to standard reference for both Greek and international standards. The work included improvements in widening the road to acquire modern features, change of guardrails and realignment in the material with a view to eliminating all known risks”.

What isn’t mentioned is that most of the road had been made by the Greek government many years ago. The street was getting ready before the concessionaire and basically all they did was to place new signs at the toll with the company name and convey the toll from Shimatari to Thebes. We should recognize that it performs work in the Lake Yliki, but there work seems like the bridge of Arta, since for more than five years the projects haven’t been completed. As for the tunnel connecting Agios Konstantinos to Kammena Vourla, although many think that they constructed them, the truth is that it was funded by the Greek government.

Freeway “Aegean”, from the Rahes of Fthiotidas to roundabout Kleidi

The company “Aegean” is responsible for the motorway of approximately 230 km from the roundabout Rahes Fthiotidas until roundabout Kleidi and includes both new and existing parts.
Details:

New parts made by the company:

Evaggelismos - Rapsani: 11 km
Platamonas - Scotina: 9km
Interchanges in the existing section Katerini - Key
Existing sections (204,690 miles) that are manufactured with the responsibility and expense of the public:
Rahes - Evaggelismos: 135.5 miles
Rapsani - Platamonas: 5.5 miles
Scotina - Katerini - Kleidi: 63.6 miles

As for the famous tunnels of Tembi... one more bridge of Arta!

Corinth - Patras (Olympia Street)
OLYMPIA ODOS SA was chosen to design, finance, build and operate the highway for a period of 30 years, as stated on its website.
After so many years, it remains perhaps the worst road in the country along with Antirrion - Ioannina.

The movement is performed in one lane and is, without exaggeration, risky.

The project supposedly included the construction of the Corinth - Patras - Pyrgos - Tsakona. But the projects have been stopped in Patras and it is doubtful whether they will continue for the Patras - Pyrgos. It should be noted that the company asks for criminal penalties for delay mentioning public responsibility for failure to complete the project. On top, it increased prices and tolls!

Motorway Corinth - Tripoli - Kalamata and Sparta - Leuktro (MOREAS SA)

The highway Corinth - Tripoli - Kalamata and Sparta - Lefktro connects Athens and Corinth with much of the Peloponnese. The budget for the construction is approximately 1 billion euros. Approximately 30% of this amount is paid by the government and European funds and the remainder paid by the Concessionaire and is repaid through revenues from tolls, according to the company.

The company informed us that the work focused on the department Leuktro - Sparta continues and in the regional of Kalamata. The delays are due to litigation for expropriation and to extensive archaeological investigations at various points of the project. As perceived, public works were given individuals and we continue to pay them through the toll. We should also emphasize that the concession contracts don’t only include roads, but also land located around the highways and toll stations. The generosity of the Greek state!