The Battle of Infrastructure: Dominant Companies and Challenges Facing Mega Projects

Despite the significant opportunities opening up for the construction sector, with the outstanding balance of large companies nearing €20 billion, the industry continues to face serious challenges. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is striving to complete some of the most iconic projects from the previous decade, attempting to close a major chapter in the country’s construction data. Beyond the well-known issues of public administration that delay project implementation, there has been a long-standing shortage of specialized personnel, while the licensing processes for foreign workers remain particularly slow. Many project studies are not mature enough, and funding often remains problematic. The climate crisis adds new dimensions, making many planned projects insufficient, while emphasizing the need for resilient and sustainable infrastructure. Although state initiatives like the Bridge Registry exist, substantial support, better management, and accountability are still required from both the government and the sector itself. Amid this climate, following significant delays and problems, important road and rail projects will soon be completed or enter the implementation phase, as announced by the new Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dima. Recently, contracts worth €1.35 billion for reconstruction after the ‘Daniel’ and ‘Elias’ disasters in Thessaly were signed. Rail projects must be completed within 15 months, while road projects have a 48-month timeline. Within a week, the concession agreement for the construction of the North Crete Motorway (NCAK), specifically the main section from Chania to Heraklion, is expected to be signed. Regarding the Patras-Pyrgos motorway, it will be completed by 2025, with the first 65 kilometers delivered by the end of July and the remaining 10 kilometers by year-end. For the Central Greece Motorway (E65), the Ministry of Infrastructure estimates the project will be fully completed by spring 2026, with the final northern section from Kalambaka to Egnatia Odos handed over. Concerning the Thessaloniki Metro, five additional stations will be added to the underground network by February next year. Another key project is the FlyOver in Thessaloniki, which, according to the ministry, is progressing rapidly and is expected to effectively address the city’s traffic problem when combined with the Metro. Finally, the construction of the new airport in Kastelli, Crete, is at an advanced stage, with completion already exceeding 50%.