In August 2017, the last section under construction (Perdika-Ioannina) was completed and delivered to traffic by the Greek Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Network, making Ionia Odos a fully operational motorway.

Starting from Aitoliko, the road bypasses the largest city and economical center of the Aetolia-Acarnania prefecture, Agrinio and ends in Kouvaras.

[5] Also, the 37 km long section Kampi (Filippiada interchange) - Avgo was opened to traffic on 22 February 2017 by the minister of infrastructure Christos Spirtzis,[6] however without the connection with the A2 motorway (Egnatia Odos), which was completed in August 2017.

The latter was one of the most difficult motorway segments under construction in Greece because of the rugged mountainous terrain along its route.

In early September 2016, It was announced that the rest of the expropriation works were successfully settled with the house owners receiving compensations for their respective areas, thus allowing full construction of the road.

[7] In late 2006, construction and maintenance of the motorway's northern, Ionia Odos, section from Ioannina to the Rio intersection has been granted to the Greek-Spanish "Nea Odos" consortium, which is also responsible for the maintenance of the Athens–Skarfeia (near Lamia) section of the A1 Motorway.

[12] The exits of the main northern section of the A5 motorway:[13] The Patras bypass was the first segment of Olympia Odos that was put into service.

It passes east of the city, through the foothills of the Panachaiko mountain, and consists of several tunnels and bridges.

Largely following the course of National Road 9, the Patras bypass in early years was signposted as part of a new, separate Motorway 9.