On the 23.06.2016 the right tube of the twin tubed Klokova tunnel (2.9 km) broke through on the Ionia Odos A5 motorway. The new motorway tunnel has been built by using explosives and 2 hydraulic hammers. It will replace the narrow Greek National Road EO5. Works had begun in March 2015 and will be completed by the  summer of 2017. The 196 km Ionia Odos motorway from Antirio to Ioanina (Egnatia Odos I/C) provides a connection to Western Greece upgrading urban and rural centers such as Ioanina, Arta and Agrinio. It also serves and connects the ports of Patra, Astakos, and Igoumenitsa. These works contribute to the wider development of the area by improving the access to major tourist and archaeological sites. Once the works are finished, the trip from Antirio to Ioanina will take 1 hour and 40 minutes instead of the current 3 hours and 30 minutes.

This is a project that crosses two regions and four counties. The main infrastructures of the project consist of 24 bridges, 77 underpasses, 24 overpasses and 4 twin bore tunnels: Kalydona (1200 m), Makyneia (500m),  Klokova (2900m) and Ampelia (1000 m). For further information please visit http://www.terna.gr/.  http://blog.geotechpedia.com/. 26/16.