BOAK highway closes Wednesday near Neapoli for rockfall removal, contractor says

Construction company AKTOR says the existing BOAK highway on Crete will close to traffic on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, near the Nikithianos windmills, at kilometer marker 3+000 (183+200) of the project, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The company attributed the closure to emergency geotechnical conditions in the area where excavation works are underway, saying crews need to remove unstable rock masses from the site.

Traffic diversions

For light vehicles and buses traveling from Neapoli toward Agios Nikolaos, traffic will be routed via the Old National Road, then through Lakonia and the Kritsa junction before rejoining the route to Agios Nikolaos, according to AKTOR.

Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction, from Agios Nikolaos toward Neapoli, must use the Old National Road exclusively for the entire route during the closure window.

Heavy vehicles will continue to use the existing BOAK highway throughout the closure, AKTOR said, with work halted periodically during the day to allow the road to reopen for these vehicles.

Wider BOAK roadworks

Wednesday’s closure is one of several disruptions affecting the BOAK highway this month. The stretch between Neapoli and Agios Nikolaos is separately set for a four-day closure starting September 17, immediately after the rockfall-removal work concludes.

Other sections of the highway have also seen scheduled restrictions in recent weeks. Daily closures were carried out earlier this month near the Xiropotamos bridge for separate roadworks, from September 7 to 12.

The disruptions have affected public transport as well. KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi, the regional bus operator, has warned passengers of delays caused by the ongoing BOAK roadworks.