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PROGRESS OF WORKS AT THE THESSALONIKI METRO – The construction of tunnels commenced, stations’ construction goes on and the extension to Kalamaria is about to commence

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  • PROGRESS OF WORKS AT THE THESSALONIKI METRO – The construction of tunnels commenced, stations’ construction goes on and the extension to Kalamaria is about to commence

AM_thess_souflias_LGAfter his visit today to the worksite of Thessaloniki Metro Project, the Minister of PEHODE Mr. Giorgos Souflias  made the following statements:

“This major transport and environmental project in Thessaloniki, i.e. a modern and reliable Metro system, is now advancing at a fast pace. We are at the stage of constructing the 9.6 Km long base line with 13 stations.

In parallel, I am pleased to announce that the tender procedure for the extension of the line to Kalamaria is about to commence within the next ten days, an extension spanning to a total length of 5 Km with 5 modern stations.

We are currently constructing, without boastful words, the grandest public project in Greece, an investment well exceeding the amount of one billion Euros, which is further increased to the amount of 1.5 billion Euros if we also consider the cost of the extension project to Kalamaria.

Promises and proclamations that have remained void for decades are now becoming finally a reality, just like the expectations of the citizens of Thessaloniki for an improved quality of life.
From the very first day I assumed the duties of the Minister of PEHODE, I had made abundantly clear that the Thessaloniki Metro project was an absolute priority for the Government, since this project gives solutions to the city’s traffic congestion problem and decisively contributes to the reduction of the atmospheric pollution.

1. The construction of the Metro tunnels has started

“Kostikas”, the first of the two TBMs commenced its underground voyage at the beginning of this year, and its current location is below Vardaris square, having already bored the first 550 meters of tunnel. Moreover, the trial operation of“Yiorikas”,  the second TBM, was recently completed and today it commenced the boring of the second tunnel of the project. Quietly and without any disruption to the functions of the city, ten meters of completed tunnel shall be constructed in average on a daily basis, at a depth ranging from 16 to 31 meters.

Every large-scale project is faced, during the execution of the preparatory works (expropriations, PUO networks diversions, archaeological excavations, etc.), with certain minor delays in relation to the original time schedule, which are due to the nature of such works; moreover, the financial problems one of the contracting consortium’s companies was faced with have already and long since been resolved.

Today, the Metro project has overcome its initial problems, while with the commencement of the two TBMs, it has entered the stage of the main construction works. Therefore, all those who for two decades had forgotten this project but today suddenly appear “to be concerned” about its progress, should know that to their boastful words, we juxtapose our own actions!

2. The construction of the Stations goes on at an intensive pace

The construction works intensively progress at 16 worksites in the heart of the Thessaloniki.

The construction of the diaphragm walls at Dimokratias, Syntrivani Stations, the forestation of Neos Sidirodromios Stathmos as well as at the crossover to Stavroupolis has already been completed, while the construction works at Neos Sidirodromios Stathmos and Aghia Sofia Station are at an advanced stage (61% and 53%, respectively).

The significant archaeological finds must be placed amongst the benefits from the Metro system construction. One of the largest ever unified archaeological excavations in Thessaloniki is currently in progress thanks to the metro construction works. We have restored the two-storey building “Loutra Phoenix”, to be used by the archaeologists in their study and conservation activities of the movable artifacts.
The most important artefacts shall be displayed, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, in the prestigious Stations of the network, as well as in “Alkazar” monument, which shall configured into a museum.

3. The tendering process for the extension to Kalamaria is about to commence

As stated earlier, the tendering process is about to commence for the first extension of the Metro towards Kalamaria; this extension is 5Km long with 5 modern stations: NOMARCHIA, KALAMARIA, ARETSOU, NEA KRINI  and MIKRA. At he location of MIKRA Station, there will be a bus transfer station, as well as a car parking facility with a capacity of 1000 parking places.
The required topographical, geological, geotechnical designs as well as the designs for the line alignment and the station’s location have been completed and we are now in a position to begin the tender procedure.
According to our estimates, by June 2010, the tender procedure shall have been completed, the contractor shall have been appointed and the project’s construction shall begin.
Of course, this time schedule is valid on condition that there will not be any entanglements due to objections and appeals by the bidders.

The budget for the extension to Kalamaria rises to the amount of 465 million Euros and its funding has already been secured, since the project has been incorporated in the ESPA Plan, the Business Plan for the Environment (ΕΠΠΕΡΑΑ – code 2007GR-16 / 01.52.05.01) with the amount of € 340 million, which shall rise to € 400 million, as per the ESPA regulations (+20%). At the same time, ongoing is the procedure for the approval of a loan from the European Investment Bank under favorable terms.

Concurrently, the designs for the second extension of the Metro to Stavroupolis have been initiated; this extension shall be 5 Km long with 5 new stations.

In addition, the second phase extensions of the Metro are currently under consideration, so that new areas can be served in the future by the Metro network (e.g. towards the Airport and Kordelio), developing thus a complete Metro network that will serve an ever increasing number of residents.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate all members of the Attiko Metro staff, as well as all the Contractor’s employees who give their best day after day in all 16 worksite of the project, in order to construct the Thessaloniki Metro, one of the most modern Metro systems in Europe, which is being built on the basis of the most demanding specifications in terms of quality, safety and operation.

The Thessaloniki Metro is now being constructed at a very fast pace and the next time I shall invite you all to visit with me the underground tunnels that will have been constructed by the two TBMs.

THESSALONIKI METRO
Progress of Works

Archaeological Excavation

AM_thess_archaeological_excavationBased on the special archaeological design of the project, a complete and comprehensive picture for all 13 stations of the Thessaloniki Metro is available.

Thanks to the construction of the project, the most extensive unified archaeological excavation ever carried out in Thessaloniki (20,000 sq.m.) is currently conducted and already significant and unexpected finds have come to light.

It is estimated that a total of approximately 300 employees of various specialties will be engaged in the execution of archaeological excavations, whose duration will depend on the depth, significance and the numbers of the archaeological finds.  The Ministry of PEHODE and ATTIKO METRO S.A. finance all the archaeological excavation phases and, recently, the building “Loutra Phoenix” was restored, so that it can be used by archaeologists for the study/conservation and safe keeping of the artifacts.

The most significant archaeological finds will be exhibited, in co-operation with the Ministry of Culture, in the prestigious stations of the network as well as at Alcazar monument, which will be appropriately configured as a Museum in order to shelter unknown aspects of the history of Thessaloniki.

Construction of the Project

AM_thess_worksThe thirteen Stations of the Thessaloniki Metro will be center-platform type, fully accessible by Persons with Special Needs, and they will be constructed using the cover and cut method, in order to mitigate the unavoidable temporary disturbance to the adjacent businesses/residences and to the vehicular circulation.

The construction of diaphragm walls has been recently completed at Demokratias Station, at Syntrivani Station, at the forestation of Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos, as well as at the Metro Line crossover to Stavroupoli, while their construction is at an advanced stage at Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos (61% completed) and at Aghia Sofia Station (53% completed).

Moreover, the first Tunnel Boring Machine has already bored 550 m. of tunnel and the second TBM commenced today the boring of the parallel Metro tunnel. It is pointed out that the excavation spoils produced by the two Machines will be transported from Neos Sidirodromikos Stathmos away from the central area of Thessaloniki, avoiding thus to burden the city center with heavy truck traffic.

Tunnel Boring Machines

The Tunnel Boring Machine with Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) Shield was designed and constructed by the German firm Herrenknecht A.G, and it will be used in the construction of single track tunnel sections between NEOS SIDIRODROMIKOS STATHMOS and NEA ELVETIA Stations, 7.7 Km long in total.

The operation principle of the TBM EPB is the minimization of surface settlements, by controlling the normal earth pressure (earth pressure balance) at the tunnel face.

The EPB is divided into two main parts:

– Τhe cutter head with shield
– Τhe back-up system

AM_thess_earth_pressure_balanceThe cutter head is equipped with fixed cutter disks, drag bits and adjustable eccentric assembled cutter disks.

The EPB diameter is 6,19m and its total length, the back-up gantries included, is 90m.

The two independent single track tunnels of the Thessaloniki Metro will be constructed at a depth ranging from 16 to 31m.

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