The Minister of PEHODE, Mr. George Souflias visited today the Metro worksites at AGHIA PARASKEVI and NOMISMATOKOPIO Stations, was updated on the progress of works executed by the Athens Metro S.A. and made the following statements:
“Τhe Metro constitutes the most important transport and environmental project in Attica Basin and for this reason its extension is a top priority for us. We currently implement, silently but laboriously, the most extended front of Metro works in Greece. I wish to give you some updated information concerning the progress of the Athens Metro construction works, such as:
1. the construction of the first 10 Metro stations progresses at an intensive pace and their projected commissioning dates are as follows:
a) by September 2009, commissioning of NOMISMATOKOPIO Station
b) by the end of 2009, commissioning of HOLARGOS, AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI), PERISTERI & ANTHOUPOLI Stations
c) by spring 2010, commissioning of ILIOUPOLI, ALIMOS, ARGYROUPOLI & ELLINIKO Stations
d) by summer 2010, commissioning AGHIA PARASKEVI Station.
2. The necessary interruption of the train service at the portion ETHNIKI AMYNA-D. PLAKENTIAS-AIRPORT of Line 3 for the construction of AGHIA PARASKEVI Station is scheduled for February 14th 2009 and for a period of six months. Throughout this 6-month period and in cooperation with the Ministry of Transport, alternative solutions will be implemented in order to serve the transportation needs of the public, such as:
a) densification of the bus lines connecting ETHNIKI AMYNA Metro Station with all the areas now served by ETHNIKI AMYNA-AIRPORT Metro Line,
b) direct bus connection between Doukissis Plakentias – Ethniki Amyna Stations
c) More frequent itineraries of the Suburban Railway at the section Airport – Nerantziotissa ISAP Station.
The 3 Stations – HOLARGOS, NOMISMATOKOPIO & AGHIA PARASKEVI
The 6-month interruption of the Metro operation surely causes various problems to the passengers, which is due to the tragic mistake of having constructed the tunnel without any provision regarding AGHIA PARASKEVI Station. I had already emphasized in June 2004 the unacceptable fact that no provision had been made for AGHIA PARASKEVI Station.
We prepared the relevant studies, put to tender and construct at an intensive pace these three Metro stations, executing highly complicated construction works. The minor deviations from the time schedule are due to the significant archaeological finds that came to light at HOLARGOS Station (ancient road to Messogia, tombs, urns, laboratory areas, etc), but also to some problems faced by the contracting consortium which have now been resolved.
Focused on the hard work and without any froth, NOMISMATOKOPIO Station is foreseen to be commissioned next September, along with the respective Parking Facility, capable of accommodating 630 cars.
HOLARGOS Station is foreseen to be commissioned by the end of the year and AGHIA PARASKEVI by summer 2010 respectively.
At the same time, I would also like to point out that the underground parking area at NOMISMATOKOPIO Station capable of accommodating 630 cars is at an advanced construction stage, while a Bus Transfer Station will be created at street level. Therefore, a private vehicle driver who presently needs at least 45 minutes in rush hour to reach the city center in August 2009 he/she will have the option to park his/her car at the Metro parking area and then to make the same trip in the comfort and safety of the Metro in only 11 minutes!
In addition, I wish to stress that a parking facility is foreseen to by constructed at AGHIA PARASKEVI station with a capacity of 500 parking spaces. In order to implement this project ATTIKO METRO S.A. has already initiated the relevant studies.
The extension to Elliniko
The boring of the 5.5 km long underground tunnel, using the TBM, was completed in December without any delay.
The construction of ELLINIKO & ARGYROUPOLI Stations has been completed and the installation of the architectural finishes (marbles, granites, false ceilings etc.) is at an advanced stage.
With the departure of the TBM, the construction of ILIOUPOLI Station proceeds at an intensive pace, while there is a minor delay at ALIMOS Station due to the lingering archaeological excavation and the long delay in the issuance of the relevant decisions by CAC since early in 2008.
This project despite its complexity and its magnitude, proceeds at a very fast pace and the Metro Line, along with the four stations are foreseen to be simultaneously commissioned in the spring of 2010, with a minor deviation from the time schedule due to archaeology.
The extension to Peristeri
The construction of the entire tunnel has been completed and works related to the installation of rails and the electromechanical equipment have commenced. All technical difficulties have been resolved (adverse geological conditions, underground excavation of the station, etc.), the construction of PERISTERI and ANTHOUPOLI Stations has been completed and the installation of the architectural finishes (marbles, granites, false ceilings etc.) has recently commenced.
The two new Stations in the Municipality of Peristeri are foreseen to be commissioned at the end of 2009.
The extension to Aghia Marina (Haidari)
Last October the boring of the tunnel (1.5 km long) was completed and its was connected with the existing Metro Line 3. Today, the installation of rail and E/M equipment has commenced throughout the entire length of the extension, while the execution of architectural finishing works will soon commence at AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI) Station.
At the same time, works related to the construction of the Parking Facility next to the Station with a total capacity of 385 car parking spaces have been initiated; the said parking facility will be delivered concurrently with the commissioning of the Station.
Line 3 extension to Aghia Marina (Haidari) is provided for to be commissioned at the end of 2009.
Eleonas Depot
Τhe toilsome excavation works, approximately 600,000 cubic meters over a surface of 80,000 m2 were completed in 2007 and, thanks to the Metro, an area characterised as a dumping area near the centre of the city was clean excavated at a depth of 12 meters.
Today the main building (Stabling Shed) of the Depot has been completed, while works related to the architectural finishes, the installation of rail and E/M equipment are in progress. I should stress that this project has been constructed so as to enable the establishment and the operation on the top of the depot of the central Intercity Bus Transfer Station, once this area is handed over by ATTIKO METRO S.A. to KTEL (Common Treasury for Buses).
ELEONAS Depot is foreseen to be commissioned early in 2010.
New Metro Trains
The tender for the supply of 17 new Metro trains, amounting to 155 million euros, is currently in progress and 3 major foreign train manufacturers submitted their offers.
All new trains will be equipped with state-of-the-art A/C systems.
The Contractor of the new Metro trains is expected to be appointed by April, on condition that there will be no entanglements due to objections and appeals.
In addition, ATTIKO METRO will have installed by June a total of 168 A/C units at 14 of the existing trains.
EXTENSION TO PIRAEUS
The Tender for the Metro extension to the western suburbs, terminating at Piraeus, amounting to 515 million euro, is in progress and on Friday February 13th 2009 the bidding companies/firms will submit their expression of interest.
This extension concerns the boring of a 7.6km long underground tunnel, with 6 modern stations: AGHIA VARVARA, KORYDALLOS, NIKEA, MANIATIKA, PIRAEUS, DIMOTIKO THEATRO.
NEW LINE 4 (Line U)
As far the Line U (Line 4) is concerned, i.e. the Line in the shape of a horseshoe, which begins from Galatsi, continues to pass from Panepistimio Station and from Pangrati area, where it turns towards Maroussi, with 20 stations, the relevant designs are advancing at a fast pace. Detailed information about this Line will be given to you at a future time.
The largest ever front of Metro works in Greece
The most extensive Metro works ever executed in Greece and among the most extensive in Europe are currently under execution, exhibiting one of the highest progress rates internationally.
Without any froth but rather based on systematic work and responsible planning, we construct the major projects in Greece.
ANNEX
THE THREE STATIONS – HOLARGOS, NOMISMATOKOPIO & AGHIA PARASKEVI
Construction works at the three new Metro stations along Line 3 (NOMISMATOKOPIO, HOLARGOS & AGHIA PARASKEVI), which are provided to serve 60,000 passengers on a daily basis, are in full swing.
Line 2 Extension to Elliniko
The underground Line 2 extension to Elliniko is provided for to be completed early 2010 and it is estimated that it will serve 80,000 passengers on a daily basis.It is pointed out that the distance between ELLINIKO & SYNTAGMA Stations will be covered in only 15 minutesby metro , while it currently takes at least today 35 minutes to cover the same distance by car in rush hour.
Line 2 Extension to Peristeri
Line 2 extension to Peristeri, with PERISTERI & ANTHOUPOLI new Metro Stations, is estimated that will serve 50,000 passengers on a daily basis at the end of 2009.It is noted that the distance between ANTHOUPOLI & SYNTAGMA Stations is covered in only 11 minutes by metro, while it takes at least 40 minutes to cover the same distance by car in rush hour.
Line 3 Extension to AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI)
Egaleo – Aghia Marina (Haidari) Line 3 extension is estimated to serve over 30,000 passengers on a daily basis, and based on the time schedule it is foreseen to be commissioned at the end of 2009. Thanks to the Metro, the distance AGHIA MARINA (HAIDARI) – SYNTAGMA will be covered in only 9 minutes!
Eleonas Depot
Eleonas Depot is located at Aghias Annis Street,within the boundaries of the Municipality of Athens and the area of Egaleo and covers a surface of 86,000 sqm.
