Traffic restrictions on the A.Θ.E. from September 22

New Odos announced new traffic restrictions on the Athens–Thessaloniki–Evzones motorway, which come into effect from Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 18:00, as reported by TA NEA. According to the highway management company, the restrictions will remain in effect until Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 07:00. The reason for the restrictions is paving works being carried out on a section of the highway, as New Odos stated. The announcement affects drivers travelling towards Lamia during the evening and night hours of the following twenty-day period.

According to New Odos, the right driving lane and emergency lane close on the direction towards Lamia. The first phase of works concerns the section from kilometre 71.6 to kilometre 75.55, as the company clarified. At the same time, the exit at the Rysona junction remains closed for the duration of the works, according to New Odos, and drivers wishing to exit there are directed to the Schematari half-junction, at kilometre 66.385, via the right service road. The restrictions, as New Odos stated, apply every evening from Monday to Friday, with hours from 18:00 to 07:00 the following morning, and not on a 24-hour basis.

For drivers traversing the Athens–Lamia axis during these hours, the removal of two lanes on this specific section is expected to slow traffic, especially when it coincides with increased heavy vehicle traffic during night hours. The closure of the exit at the Rysona junction means, furthermore, that those planning to leave at that point will need to continue to the Schematari half-junction to exit the motorway. The absence of an emergency lane in the work section also means that any vehicle problem will not be able to be addressed by pulling over to the side, a fact that reinforces New Odos’ recommendation for increased caution. Similar interventions at other points on the network, such as the restrictions on the Thessaloniki Bypass, show that such works are usually accompanied by similar safety recommendations to drivers.

The first phase of restrictions on the A.Θ.E. will last until Thursday, October 22, 2026, according to New Odos. It has not yet been announced which section of the motorway will be affected by the second phase of works or when it is expected to begin. It also remains unknown whether the first phase works will be completed earlier than scheduled or whether an extension beyond October 22, 2026 will be needed. Until the next announcement from New Odos, drivers are urged to take the above restrictions into account when planning their trips, while for all developments on traffic matters in the country, readers can stay informed through the Traffic & Transport page.