The Minister of PEHODE, Mr. George Souflias, made the following statement with regard to the Athens Metro and its extensions in Attica region. In particular:
- The day before yesterday, the European Committee, via a document transmitted to us, informed us that it rejects the complaints filed by the Companies MICHANIKI and ZAGOPE (Portugal) against ATTIKO METRO S.A. Tenders regarding the Athens Metro extensions towards Elliniko and Aghia Marina (Haidari) and gave us “green light” approval to complete the tenders concerning projects whose cost estimate rises to 530 million euros.
- Today, the financial offers were unsealed and the provisional contractors for these two major projects were selected.
- Finally, I will inform you on the remaining Metro tenders currently under way and the issue related to the Metro extension towards Piraeus.
- Moreover, I will make some significant announcements for the new Athens Metro Line 4 and its funding.
In particular:
The European Committee’s decision
Based on a document transmitted by the General Manager of the Internal Market Directorate of the European Committee, following thorough consideration given to the complaints with regard to the Athens Metro Extensions towards Elliniko and Aghia Marina (Haidari), “a conclusion was reached based on which there is no evidence to demonstrate infringement of community law relating to public contracts”, thus leading to “filing of the said complaints”. In addition, the last decisions of the greek court as to the two aforementioned tenders were issued yesterday and they also rejected the allegations of the companies participating in the tender procedure. The decisions of the European Committee and the Greek Courts allow the continuation of the Tender Procedure, the unsealing of the financial offers and the conclusion of the relevant contracts.
The decision of the European Committee confutes the arguments of those who used to see unfavourable prospects and anticipated deadlock of the progress of the works and cancellation of the tender procedures for the Athens Metro. However, I will reiterate today that the court decisions as well as the decisions made by the European Committee vindicate the Ministry of PEHODE that even if a court decision or a decision issued by the European Committee is contrary to the decisions of a Tender Committee, this does not necessarily mean that a mistake was made. Even the more so, this does not mean that a mistake was made on purpose. Sometimes in such cases various legal interpretations can be given.
However, on this occasion, I will present to you a table for you to realize what I mean when I say that some contractors often overdo by filing objections. For these two tenders 44 objections, appeals, petitions for interim measures and complaints have been submitted to the European Committee. I don’t need to make any comment. I want you to just think of the man-hours already spent in the Ministry of PEHODE and in ATTIKO METRO for such an excess.
Today, the allegations of the companies participating in the tenders have been rejected in all 44 cases. Based on our systematic effort, the time needed for the examination of all these issues was minimized and did not exceed the two-month period and these projects may continue to be within the time schedule.
Provisional Contractor for the Metro extension towards ELLINIKO
As I have already mentioned, today ATTIKO METRO S.A. proceeded with the unsealing of the Financial Offers of the tender for the Metro extension to ELLINIKO, whose cost estimate amounted to 330 million euros. The classification of the four bidding joint ventures is as follows:
| Α/Α | Joint Venture | Financial Offer |
| 1 | ΑΚΤOR ΑΤΕ – SIEMENS AG – VINCI CONSTRUCTION GRANDS PROJECTS | 270.600.000 € |
| 2 | J & P-ABAX SA– FCC CONSTRUCCION SA – ELECNOR SA – INSTALACIONES INABENSA SA | 272.000.000 € |
| 3 | IMPREGILO – ΑΕΓΕΚ – SELI – ALSTOM TRANSPORT | 273.560.000 € |
| 4 | ALPINE MAYREDER BAU GmbH – OBRASCON HUARTE LAIN SA – ΤΕRΝΑ SA – PANTECHNIKI – POWELL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INC. | 275.300.000 € |
Based on the aforementioned outcome of the Tender, the Provisional Contractor of the Project is the Joint Venture AKTOR ATE – SIEMENS AG – VINCI CONSTRUCTIONS GRANDS PROJECTS.
The conclusion of the contract is expected in March 2006.
The Metro Line extension to ELLINIKO by 5.5 km, underneath Vouliagmenis Avenue and the addition of 4 new Stations (ILIOUPOLI-ALIMOS-ARGYROUPOLI-ELLINIKO) to the Metro network is anticipated to be completed in the end of 2009. This extension is anticipated to serve more than 80,000 passengers on a daily basis.
Provisional Contractor for the Metro extension towards AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI)
Upon completion of this project, budgeted at 200 million euros, the Athens Metro Line 3 is further extended to the western suburbs, thus, reaching AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI) and AGHIA VARVARA areas.
Following the unsealing of the Financial Offers, the classification of the four joint ventures participating in the tender is as follows:
| Α/Α | Joint Venture | Financial Offer |
| 1 | ALPIN – ΤΕRΝΑ – PANTECHNIKI –POWELL | 164.270.000 € |
| 2 | AKTOR – SIEMENS – VINCI | 165.260.000 € |
| 3 | J & P AVAX SA – FCC – ELECNOR – INSTAL. INABENSA | 165.600.000 € |
| 4 | IMPREGILO – AEGΕΚ – ALSTOM TRANSP. | 165.650.000 € |
Based on the aforementioned outcome of the Tender, the Provisional Contractor of the Project is the Joint Venture ALPIN – TERNA – PANTECHNIKI – POWELL.
In early 2006 the contract of the project will be concluded and immediately afterwards construction works will commence for the extension of the Line by approximately 1.5 km and the addition of a new Station(AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI)). This contracting work includes the construction of a Depot in the area of Eleonas as well, a project necessary for the operation of Line 3. The depot in the area of Eleonas is anticipated to be completed in 2007 and the Metro extension to AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI) in 2008. This extension is anticipated to serve more than 30,000 passengers on a daily basis.
It is pointed out that throughout both tender procedures strong competition wa ensured, since a a total of 29 major greek and foreign construction companies participated and the cost per Metro line km (75 million euros/km) is significantly lower than the respective cost of Metro works, that have been completed until the present day (110 million euros/km).
Construction of New Metro Line 4
According to the Metro Development Study (1996 – 2000), the approved Athens Metro Development Plan provides for the construction of two new Extensions, which are, in essence, branches of the existing Lines, such as Line 2 branch (Panepistimio-Exarhia-Alexandras-Dikastiria-Kypseli-Galatsi-Alsos Veikou) and Line 3 branch (Panormou-Faros-Sidera-OAKA-Paradissos-Maroussi).
Following some recent investigations, it appeared that due to technical reasons the said extensions could not be branches of the existing Lines, since this scenario presents important construction and operational deficiencies (interruption of line operation, complex onstruction, high cost, frequency of trips, etc.).
In this framework, ATTIKO METRO S.A. examined the option to proceed with the interconnection of the said extensions and their development as a new autonomous U-shaped Line 4 , which shall include the two aforementioned branches (towards Galatsi and Maroussi) and a central section connecting 8 new Metro stations: Panepistimio, Evangelismos, Pangrati/Kaissariani, Ano Ilissia, Zografou, Goudi, Katehaki, intersecting the extisting Line 2 (at Panepistimio) and Line 3 (at Evangelismos & Katehaki).
This new Metro Line 4 in orange colour (Alsos Veikou – Panepistimio – Katehaki – Maroussi) is 19,6 km long, with 20 stations and its cost estimate rises to approximately 2.1 billion euros, while it is anticipated not only to alter dramatically the transportation map of Athens, but also upgrade life in Attica Basin. The construction of the new Line 4 presents significant advantages, such as:
- Transportation service of many new densely populated areas of the city (Galatsi, Kypseli, Pangrati, Kaissariani, Zografou, areas adjacent to Kifissias Avenue, etc). It is estimated that the new Line will serve more than 400,000 passengers on a daily basis.
- Service of many important facilities, such as Hospitals, University Foundations and Courts.
- By increasing the Metro branches the number of transfer stations will be higher, thus, facilitating transfers among the Metro Lines.
- “Decongestion” of the existing Metro stations where there is a constantly increasing number of passengers (Syntagma, etc.).
YPEHODE has approved the relevant resources for the funding of the new Metro Line 4 design. The branches towards Galatsi and Maroussi are already in the phase of design, while the design of the new connection branch is in the phase of procurement.
With regard to the funding of the new Line 4, it is estimated that it cannot be integrated in the scheduling of the 4th CSF, since priority has been given to the construction of the Base Project and the extensions of the Thessaloniki Metro (2 billion euros), as well as Metro Line 3 extension to the western suburbs of Athens, from Aghia Marina (Haidari) to Piraeus and Zea (680 million euros). Therefore, all funding methods have been examined.
Based on the recent design of ATTIKO METRO S.A., the development and the operation of Line 4 can be effected by implementing a special funding scheme which concerns the securitization of future toll revenue of Attiki Odos for a certain period of time following its concession to the Greek Government. In this way, the construction of the new Metro Line 4 shall burden neither the state’s budget nor the funds of the 4th CSF.
The aforesaid issue is a critical one with many parameters which is under consideration and I intend to bring it for discussion within the framework of the government.
Line 2 extension towards Peristeri and Anthoupoli
As per the scheduling of YPEHODE, two extra modern Metro Stations will be constructed past AGHIOS ANTONIOS Station along Line 2 extension. Therefore, Peristeri area will be served by three Metro Stations.
The Contractor of the Project is expected to be announced within the first half of 2006 and immediately afterwards construction works for both new Stations in Peristeri area will commence.
It is pointed out that based on the recent outcome of the geotechnical investigations in the area of ANTHOUPOLI Station, opposite Aghios Ierotheos football field, the soil is completely inappropriate for the construction of an underground tunnel, approximately 350 meters long, which is necessary as a termination past every terminal station. This means that the construction of the Station put at great risk the project itself and the adjacent residencies, while it would not allow further extension of the Line towards Kipoupoli, Petroupoli and Ilion.
For all the reasons mentioned above, ATTIKO METRO S.A. decided to finally relocate ANTHOUPOLI Station by approximately 300m. southwards. In particular, based on the new scheduling, the aforementioned Station is located underneath Anapafseos Street in the section between Dodekanissou and Thivon streets.
It is pointed out that this compulsory relocation of the Station was carried out following the examination of all the alternative technical solutions in conjuction with the geotechnical data of the area, in order to maintain the Station at its initial location. In any case, ANTHOUPOLI Station, the third station located in the area of Peristeri, at its new location is also expected to serve in the best possible way the daily trips of the residents as well as of the visitors of the wider area of Anthoupoli, of Peristeri Park, of the Municipal Exhibition Centre etc. The ridership of this extension is estimated to rise to 50,000 persons on a daily basis.
AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI) – PIRAEUS – ZEA Line 3 extension
The projects of the extension of the Athens Metro network will be followed by the second generation of the network extensions and YPEHODE sets Line 3 extension from AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI) to Piraeus as a top priority. For this reason it has been proposed to have this extension funded by the 3rd CSF, by funds which have not been aborbed by other business plans. ATTIKO METRO S.A. has already prepared the preliminary design of the project and it is able to initiate the tendering procedures as soon as funding of the extension has been secured.
Metro Line 2 extension will start from AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI) Station and will end at ZEA. It will include seven new stations and will be 8.3 km long as a total. It will serve both the western suburbs of Attica Basin (Aghia Varvara, Nikaia, Korydallos), as well as of Piraeus, where there will be 3 modern Stations(PIRAEUS, MUNICIPAL THEATRE and ZEA).
Upon implementation of this extension, Line 3 shall be 49 km long (28,3 km out of which will be underground) connecting ZEA with ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS Airport, via the Athens centre in less than 48 minutes.
In conclusion, I would like to point out the following: The Metro is the most important transportation project in Attica Basin. For this reason, we have initiated a systematic effort for the promotion and the implementation of the Metro extensions in order to have the Attica Basin gradually covered. Therefore, we are promoting the projects of the second generation of Metro extensions aiming at having 87 km of network operated with 65 modern stations within the next eight-year period.
