Adriatic–Ionian motorway
Encyclopedia
Adriatic–Ionian motorway ' onMouseout='HidePop("66057")' href="/topics/Montenegrin_language">Montenegrin
: Jadransko–jonski autoput; Albanian
: Autostrada Adriatiko-Joniane) is a future motorway that will stretch along the entire eastern shore of Adriatic
and Ionian sea
s, spanning the western border of the Balkan peninsula.
, Italy
, pass through Slovenia
, enter Croatia
near Rijeka
, and continue through Croatia as part of A1 motorway
. Because the Croatian territory near Dubrovnik
is very narrow along the coast, a section of the motorway shall pass near Trebinje
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
before entering Montenegro
. Passing Podgorica
, the motorway will enter Albania
north of Lake Scutari
, and continue south via Tirana
and Durrës
. Exiting Albania, the motorway will probably follow the Greek section of E55 route
.
The road is seen as a matter of national importance to Croatia, Montenegro and Albania. Those countries have launched an initiative to list the motorway with Pan-European corridors
in order to be able to secure foreign funding.
, the already existing feeder road RA 13 to the Slovenian border is used. The RA 13 is connected to the Slovenian A3 highway.
to the interconnection with the A1
. The further route isn't planned yet, but will lead to the Croatian border near Jelšane
where it will be connected with the Croatian A7 highway. Until construction of that part, the traffic is passed over a national road.
along its entire length, and the A1 motorway
from the Žuta Lokva
interchange to the south.
So far, Croatia has made the biggest progress on its section by completing significant parts of the A7 motorway
and the A1 motorway
.
The A7 is completed from the Slovenian border at Rupa
, bypassing Rijeka
and connecting to the A6
. Construction of the part from this junction to a planned interchange with the A1
at Žuta Lokva
is currently slowed down and planned as a long-term project. Until completion of this sector, the traffic may either use an indirect route to the A1 via the A6 motorway (to the junction of the A1 and A6 motorways at Bosiljevo
2) or a more direct route to the A1 via the D8 state road
(also known as Adriatic Highway).
The A1 currently ends near the city of Vrgorac
, and it is planned to end at Dubrovnik
, but no concrete plans exist for the motorway route past Metković
, and the D8 carries the southeastward traffic after the A1. It intersects the short strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina
territory at Neum
.
near Trebinje
. A route passing through the Trebinje field would require approval of both the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton
and Republika Srpska
.
Thus, Government of Montenegro has considered only the option of motorway crossing southern Bosnia and Hercegovina near Trebinje
. A parallel expressway
along the coast is also planned, that will connect directly to Croatian road network at Debeli Brijeg
, however, this is not considered a part of Adriatic – Ionian route, and will not be built to full motorway standard. This route is intended to relieve Adriatic Highway, and will follow the Montenegrin coastline closely, with Verige Bridge
included in its route.
Approximate length of motorway through Montenegro is 100 km, of which 10 km between Mareza and Smokovac is shared with Belgrade–Bar motorway
.
Building of the Belgrade–Bar motorway is currently a priority for Montenegro, and concrete activities on building Adriatic – Ionian motorway are yet to begin.
(Hani i Hotit - Shkodër, about 46 km), as well as the route between Fier
and Tepelenë (about 70 km). An alternate parallel route stretching along the mountains facing the Ionian Sea is Vlora-Saranda. It has been recently reconstructed and was opened in 2009. However, it is unlikely to be further widened and become part of the motorway.
Most parts of these new segments are only 2 lane highways (called "superstradë") instead of the proposed 4 lane motorway (called "autostradë"). It's expected that those parts will be upgraded step by step in the near future.
) to replace the existing National roads GR-22
(from the Albanian border at Kakavia
to Kalpaki), GR-20
(from Kalpaki to Ioannina
) and GR-5
(from Ioannina to Rio
). The already built Rio–Antirrio bridge will become part of the A5.
From Rio, another motorway, the A9 (called Olympia Odos
), is under construction to replace the existing national roads GR-9
and GR-9a leading to Tsakona and to an interconnection with the A7 motorway (called "Eastern Peloponese Motorway") further leading to the end of Adriatic–Ionian motorway at Kalamata
. That last part is also under construction and will replace the GR-7
.
Montenegrin language
Montenegrin is a name used for the Serbo-Croatian language as spoken by Montenegrins; it also refers to an incipient standardized form of the Shtokavian dialect of Serbo-Croatian used as the official language of Montenegro...
: Jadransko–jonski autoput; Albanian
Albanian language
Albanian is an Indo-European language spoken by approximately 7.6 million people, primarily in Albania and Kosovo but also in other areas of the Balkans in which there is an Albanian population, including western Macedonia, southern Montenegro, southern Serbia and northwestern Greece...
: Autostrada Adriatiko-Joniane) is a future motorway that will stretch along the entire eastern shore of Adriatic
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
and Ionian sea
Ionian Sea
The Ionian Sea , is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, south of the Adriatic Sea. It is bounded by southern Italy including Calabria, Sicily and the Salento peninsula to the west, southern Albania to the north, and a large number of Greek islands, including Corfu, Zante, Kephalonia, Ithaka, and...
s, spanning the western border of the Balkan peninsula.
Overview
The road is planned to be built to full motorway standards. It will start in TriesteTrieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, pass through Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
, enter Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
near Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
, and continue through Croatia as part of A1 motorway
A1 (Croatia)
The A1 motorway is the longest motorway in Croatia spanning . As it connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to Split, the second largest city in the country and the largest city in Dalmatia, the motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the...
. Because the Croatian territory near Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
is very narrow along the coast, a section of the motorway shall pass near Trebinje
Trebinje
Trebinje is the southernmost municipality and town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity and is located in southeastern Herzegovina, some from the Adriatic Sea....
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
before entering Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
. Passing Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
, the motorway will enter Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
north of Lake Scutari
Lake Scutari
Lake Skadar, also called Lake Scutari and Lake Shkodër is a lake on the border of Montenegro with Albania, the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula. It is named after the city of Shkodra in northern Albania .- Geography :...
, and continue south via Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
and Durrës
Durrës
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically important cities of Albania. Durres is situated at one of the narrower points of the Adriatic Sea, opposite the Italian ports of Bari...
. Exiting Albania, the motorway will probably follow the Greek section of E55 route
European route E55
European route E 55 is a E-route. It passes through the following cities:Helsingborg … Helsingør – Copenhagen – Køge – Vordingborg – Nykøbing Falster – Gedser … Rostock – Berlin – Lübbenau – Dresden – Teplice – Prague – Tábor – Linz – Salzburg – Villach – Tarvisio – Udine – Palmanova – Mestre...
.
The road is seen as a matter of national importance to Croatia, Montenegro and Albania. Those countries have launched an initiative to list the motorway with Pan-European corridors
Pan-European corridors
The ten Pan-European transport corridors were defined at the second Pan-European transport Conference in Crete, March 1994, as routes in Central and Eastern Europe that required major investment over the next ten to fifteen years. Additions were made at the third conference in Helsinki in 1997...
in order to be able to secure foreign funding.
Italy
With starting of Adriatic–Ionian motorway at TriesteTrieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, the already existing feeder road RA 13 to the Slovenian border is used. The RA 13 is connected to the Slovenian A3 highway.
Slovenia
The Slovenian section starts with the already existing A3 from the Italian border at SežanaSežana
Sežana is a town and a municipality in the Slovenian Littoral region of Slovenia, near the border with Italy. According to the census of 2008, it has a population of 12,470, of which around 5,332 live in the town of Sežana and the rest in the neighbouring rural areas.Sežana is located about on the...
to the interconnection with the A1
A1 motorway (Slovenia)
The A1 motorway is 236,1 km long, connecting Šentilj and Koper/Capodistria . It passes several important Slovenian cities, including Maribor, Celje and Ljubljana all the way to the Slovenian Littoral and Koper, with its important port.Construction began in 1970 and the first section was...
. The further route isn't planned yet, but will lead to the Croatian border near Jelšane
Jelšane
Jelšane is a village in the Ilirska Bistrica Municipality in the Inner Carniola region of Slovenia, right on the border with Croatia. The Jelšane international border crossing between Slovenia and Croatia is just to the south of the village....
where it will be connected with the Croatian A7 highway. Until construction of that part, the traffic is passed over a national road.
Croatia
In Croatia, the Adriatic–Ionian motorway is planned to follow routes of the A7 motorwayA7 (Croatia)
The A7 motorway is a long motorway in Croatia. It connects the nation's largest port in Rijeka, to the Croatian motorway network, as well as to the Rupa and Pasjak border crossings to Slovenia. The motorway forms part of a longitudinal transportation corridor in Croatia, and it is a part of...
along its entire length, and the A1 motorway
A1 (Croatia)
The A1 motorway is the longest motorway in Croatia spanning . As it connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to Split, the second largest city in the country and the largest city in Dalmatia, the motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the...
from the Žuta Lokva
Žuta Lokva
Žuta Lokva is a village in Croatia....
interchange to the south.
So far, Croatia has made the biggest progress on its section by completing significant parts of the A7 motorway
A7 (Croatia)
The A7 motorway is a long motorway in Croatia. It connects the nation's largest port in Rijeka, to the Croatian motorway network, as well as to the Rupa and Pasjak border crossings to Slovenia. The motorway forms part of a longitudinal transportation corridor in Croatia, and it is a part of...
and the A1 motorway
A1 (Croatia)
The A1 motorway is the longest motorway in Croatia spanning . As it connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to Split, the second largest city in the country and the largest city in Dalmatia, the motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the...
.
The A7 is completed from the Slovenian border at Rupa
Rupa, Croatia
Rupa is a village in northwest Croatia near its border with Slovenia. It is located in Matulji municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, 17 km from the town of Matulji. It has a population of 310 ....
, bypassing Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
and connecting to the A6
A6 (Croatia)
The A6 motorway is a motorway in Croatia spanning . It connects the nation's capital, Zagreb, via the A1, to the seaport of Rijeka. The motorway forms a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and is a part of European route E65...
. Construction of the part from this junction to a planned interchange with the A1
A1 (Croatia)
The A1 motorway is the longest motorway in Croatia spanning . As it connects Zagreb, the nation's capital, to Split, the second largest city in the country and the largest city in Dalmatia, the motorway represents a major north–south transportation corridor in Croatia and a significant part of the...
at Žuta Lokva
Žuta Lokva
Žuta Lokva is a village in Croatia....
is currently slowed down and planned as a long-term project. Until completion of this sector, the traffic may either use an indirect route to the A1 via the A6 motorway (to the junction of the A1 and A6 motorways at Bosiljevo
Bosiljevo
Bosiljevo is a village and municipality in Karlovac county, Croatia. It is located in the Gorski kotar region, on the highways A1 and A6 leading to Zagreb, Rijeka and Split.-Settlements:...
2) or a more direct route to the A1 via the D8 state road
D8 (Croatia)
D8 state road comprises Croatian section of Adriatic Highway, and it runs from Pasjak border crossing to Slovenia via Rijeka, Senj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Opuzen and Dubrovnik to the border with Montenegro at Karasovići. Most of the D8 state road is still a two-lane road, excepting rare four-lane...
(also known as Adriatic Highway).
The A1 currently ends near the city of Vrgorac
Vrgorac
Vrgorac is a town in Croatia in the Split-Dalmatia County.The total population of Vrgorac is 6,501 , in the following settlements:* Banja, population 214* Dragljane, population 47* Draževitići, population 204* Duge Njive, population 106...
, and it is planned to end at Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county. Its total population is 42,641...
, but no concrete plans exist for the motorway route past Metković
Metkovic
Metković is a city in the Dubrovnik-Neretva county of Croatia, located in the southeast of the country, on the banks of the river Neretva and on the border with Herzegovina.-Demographics:...
, and the D8 carries the southeastward traffic after the A1. It intersects the short strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
territory at Neum
Neum
Neum is the only coastal town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It comprises of coastline, the country's only access to the Adriatic Sea. As of 2009, municipal population was of 4,605 and the one of Neum main town was of 4,268 .-Features:Neum has steep hills, sandy beaches, and several large tourist...
.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
It has not yet been defined whether a motorway will pass through southern Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
near Trebinje
Trebinje
Trebinje is the southernmost municipality and town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity and is located in southeastern Herzegovina, some from the Adriatic Sea....
. A route passing through the Trebinje field would require approval of both the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton
Herzegovina-Neretva Canton
The Herzegovina-Neretva Canton is one of the 10 cantons of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The canton mainly comprises the Neretva river valley area and parts of Herzegovina west of Mostar, its administrative center.-Municipalities:...
and Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska
Republika Srpska is one of two main political entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other being the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
.
Montenegro
In the Spatial Plan of Montenegro, route of the Adriatic – Ionian motorway is currently defined as following:- Nudo (border with Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
) - GrahovoGrahovoGrahovo is a tribe in western Montenegro. It contains the village of Grahovac, which was the sight of the Battle of Grahovac.-History:In the early 17th century, during the Sanjak of Scutari, Grahovo was commanded by Mile Perin....
- ČevoCevoCevo is an Italian comune of 969 inhabitants in Val Camonica, province of Brescia, in Lombardy.-Geography:It is bounded by other communes of Saviore dell'Adamello and Berzo Demo...
- (PodgoricaPodgoricaPodgorica , is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and the meeting point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement...
) MarezaMarezaMareza is a river in Montenegro. It is also a name of suburb of Podgorica, in which the river originates.-The river:...
- (Podgorica) Smokovac - Dinoša - Božaj (Border with AlbaniaAlbaniaAlbania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
)
Thus, Government of Montenegro has considered only the option of motorway crossing southern Bosnia and Hercegovina near Trebinje
Trebinje
Trebinje is the southernmost municipality and town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is administratively part of the Republika Srpska entity and is located in southeastern Herzegovina, some from the Adriatic Sea....
. A parallel expressway
Limited-access road
A limited-access road known by various terms worldwide, including limited-access highway, dual-carriageway and expressway, is a highway or arterial road for high-speed traffic which has many or most characteristics of a controlled-access highway , including limited or no access to adjacent...
along the coast is also planned, that will connect directly to Croatian road network at Debeli Brijeg
Debeli Brijeg
Debeli Brijeg is the main Montenegrin border crossing with Croatia. The Croatian checkpoint is known as Karasovići. It is located on the Adriatic Highway.Debeli Brijeg is in Herceg Novi municipality about 6km from Igalo....
, however, this is not considered a part of Adriatic – Ionian route, and will not be built to full motorway standard. This route is intended to relieve Adriatic Highway, and will follow the Montenegrin coastline closely, with Verige Bridge
Verige bridge
The Verige bridge is a planned bridge in Montenegro that would span the Bay of Kotor, crossing the Verige Strait at the Bay's entrance, after which it is named. It will be part of the Adriatic Highway . As of 2007, the planning stage of the bridge is completed, and construction of the bridge can...
included in its route.
Approximate length of motorway through Montenegro is 100 km, of which 10 km between Mareza and Smokovac is shared with Belgrade–Bar motorway
Belgrade–Bar motorway
Belgrade–Bar motorway , is a future motorway in Serbia and Montenegro. The motorway will connect Serbian capital of Belgrade and Bar, Montenegro's main seaport...
.
Building of the Belgrade–Bar motorway is currently a priority for Montenegro, and concrete activities on building Adriatic – Ionian motorway are yet to begin.
Albania
Albania has finished big parts of its north-south corridor connecting Montenegro and Greece (consists of SH1 and SH4 highways) and therefore only few parts of the Adriatic–Ionian motorway aren't build yet. Those incomplete parts are the route between the Albanian-Montenegrin border and ShkodërShkodër
Shkodër , is a city located on Lake of Shkoder in northwestern Albania in the District of Shkodër, of which it is the capital. It is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Albania, as well as an important cultural and economic centre. Shkodër's estimated population is 90,000; if the...
(Hani i Hotit - Shkodër, about 46 km), as well as the route between Fier
Fier
Fieri is a city in southwest Albania, in the district and county of the same name. It is located at , and has a population of 82,297 . Fier is from the ruins of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia.-History :...
and Tepelenë (about 70 km). An alternate parallel route stretching along the mountains facing the Ionian Sea is Vlora-Saranda. It has been recently reconstructed and was opened in 2009. However, it is unlikely to be further widened and become part of the motorway.
Most parts of these new segments are only 2 lane highways (called "superstradë") instead of the proposed 4 lane motorway (called "autostradë"). It's expected that those parts will be upgraded step by step in the near future.
Greece
Greece is currently building its A5 motorway (called Ionia OdosIonia Odos
The Ionia Odos , sometimes called Ionian Highway in English, is a motorway, currently under construction, running through the western part of Greece. The total length will be 196 km from Rio to Ioannina. It is part of the E55 on its full length, along with the non-motorway part of Kakavia -...
) to replace the existing National roads GR-22
Greek National Road 22
Greek National Road 22 is a national highway of Greece. It connects Kakavia with Kalpaki....
(from the Albanian border at Kakavia
Kakavia
The Kakavia or Kakavijë border crossing is a major road border crossing between southern Albania and northwestern Greece. On the Albanian side lies the village of Kakavijë, located in the District of Gjirokastër, Dropull region. On the Greek side lies the village of Ktismata, in the Delvinaki...
to Kalpaki), GR-20
Greek National Road 20
The Greek National Road 20 or the Diagoniki Odos? is a highway or route that links the city of Kozani and Ioannina via Siatista and Konitsa. The highway is entirely the E92 for its entire length...
(from Kalpaki to Ioannina
Ioannina
Ioannina , often called Jannena within Greece, is the largest city of Epirus, north-western Greece, with a population of 70,203 . It lies at an elevation of approximately 500 meters above sea level, on the western shore of lake Pamvotis . It is located within the Ioannina municipality, and is the...
) and GR-5
Greek National Road 5
Greek National Road 5 is a highway in Western Greece. It runs from 2 km south of Rio at GR-8/GR-9 , or at the beginning of the Patras By-Pass in the south up to the city centre of Ioannina. It is now connected with a new bridge, the Rio-Antirio bridge and for 5 km is a joint with GR-48...
(from Ioannina to Rio
Rio, Greece
Rio is a town and a former municipality in Achaea, West Greece, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Patras, of which it is a municipal unit. The former municipality had a population of around 13,000.- Geography :...
). The already built Rio–Antirrio bridge will become part of the A5.
From Rio, another motorway, the A9 (called Olympia Odos
Olympia Odos
Olympia Odos is a planned major motorway, currently under construction. The motorway will run from Athens all the way down to Tsakona, spanning a total of . Part of the motorway will run parallel to and replace Greek National Road 8A, while parts of it will be upgraded to modern motorway standards...
), is under construction to replace the existing national roads GR-9
Greek National Road 9
Greek National Road 9 is the second-longest national highway of Greece. It runs through the western Peloponnese, from Patras to Pylos. Its length is around .This highway travels near:*Bypasses:*Patras and Area, since 2002*Vrachneika*Alissos*Kato Achaia...
and GR-9a leading to Tsakona and to an interconnection with the A7 motorway (called "Eastern Peloponese Motorway") further leading to the end of Adriatic–Ionian motorway at Kalamata
Kalamata
Kalamata is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf...
. That last part is also under construction and will replace the GR-7
Greek National Road 7
The Moreas Motorway is a motorway in Peloponnese, Greece. Locally it is known as the Moréas , which was the medieval name of the Peloponnese. The A7 begins just west of the Isthmus of Corinth, branching off from Greek National Road 8A...
.