France’s Vinci Highways has announced the opening of the 75km-long Patras-Pyrgos highway in the western Peloponnese.

Vinci’s scope of work included design, financing and programme management of the corridor and operational oversight until 2044.

Connected to the existing Olympia Odos road, the highway will have automated tolling, electric vehicle charging and solar-powered segments.

Vinci worked with Aktor Concessions, Avax and Gek Terna on the €331m project.

Nikos Tachiaos, Greece’s deputy minister of infrastructure, said: “I have repeatedly stated that concessions are the most important tool for completing major roads and highways.

“Today confirms this in concrete terms: the Patras-Pyrgos highway has been delivered in record time, with the remaining section completed quickly after the delivery of the previous one.”