The three-day cultural events organized by ATTIKO METRO S.A. in the Thessaloniki Metro between 15 and 17 June 2018 attracted a massive turnout. The purpose of the events was to inform the residents of Thessaloniki on the significant progress noted and to allow them to familiarize themselves with the greatest transportation infrastructure project ever executed in the city.
The three-day event included guided visits and tours to PAPAFI and 25 MARTIOU Metro Stations and the Depot, during which the residents of the city became eyewitnesses to the enormous progress made by the Metro since 2016 –the year when Metro works were resumed – and to the archaeological wealth revealed throughout the archaeological excavations during the project construction works.
The attendance of the residents was also high in the arts activities of the three-day event, such as the photography exhibitions, the play “Black Comedy” of the National Theatre of Northern Greece and the Centre for Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind, and the concert given at the “Depot” by the band “ThesSAXlonikisaxophonequartet”.
Events were attended by the Mayor of Thessaloniki Mr. Yiannis Boutaris, the Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of the city of Thessaloniki Ms. Jenny Veleni, the Chairman of the Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki Mr. Stelios Pappas, the Coordinator of the Prefectorial Committee of Thessaloniki District A (SYRIZA Political Party) Mr. Christos Douitsis, the Director of the National Theatre of Northern Greece Mr. Aris Stylianou, the Chairman of the Transport Authority of Thessaloniki S.A. Mr. Kostas Ampatzas, the Chairman of Egnatia Odos S.A. Mr. Apostolos Antonoudis, Mr. Fotis Bibasis, Member of the Administration of the Centre for Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind, as well as ATTIKO METRO S.A. executives and executives from the Contracting Joint Venture.
Upon completion of the events, the Chairman of ATTIKO METRO S.A. Professor Yannis A. Mylopoulos made the following statement: “This three-day event is the natural continuation of the extrovert policy of ATTIKO METRO S.A. which was based on social accountability and democratic scrutiny exerted by the citizens themselves. Major projects belong to Greek citizens. They pay for them, thus they are their natural owners”.
Please find below the speech given by the Chairman of ATTIKO METRO S.A., Professor Yannis A. Mylopoulos:
“The present initiative “Thessaloniki Metro: Stations of Culture” unfolds in three directions: The first direction aims at allowing the residents of Thessaloniki to see for themselves the actual progress made in the project, the greatest development project currently under construction in the city.
The progress made in the field of construction, the strict adherence to and implementation of the Time Schedule aiming at delivering to the public the Base Line in 2020 and the extension to Kalamaria in 2021.
Further to the radical and effective way in which all problems of the past were addressed and solved by the present Management of ATTIKO METRO S.A., the residents of Thessaloniki can now visit the Project and witness the progress noted in the Project.
Let me now present to you the actual progress of the Project.
In terms of the construction of the Base Line, the numbers are quite revelatory:
Completion percentage of TBM tunnels: 100%
Completion percentage of the total financial scope: 59%
Completion percentage of Civil Works: 86%
Completion percentage of Architectural Works: 58%
Completion percentage of E/M works: 9%
In terms of the extension to Kalamaria, the progress of the project is as follows:
The main features of the constructed project are summarized here-below:
Completion percentage of TBM tunnels: 92%
Completion percentage of financial scope – Lump Sum Price: 60%
Completion percentage of Civil Works: 82%
Completion percentage of E/M works: 3.5%
Throughout this time and while works were well under way, ATTIKO METRO S.A. has been working in the most systematic manner to relief the citizens of Thessaloniki and reduce worksite occupations.
I have the pleasure to announce to you that we are proceeding with the following works:
• Reinstatement of Monastiriou street, at its section extending from Michail Kalou street up to Dimokratias square, where “Holiday Inn” hotel is located:
By the end of June 2018, traffic is expected to be reinstated to the west, towards the Railway Station, through three traffic lanes.
In the same area, the left turn from Monastiriou street to Langada street is also reinstated.
• Reinstatement of Egnatias street, at Sintrivani:
By the end of June 2018, the three traffic lanes to the east will be reinstated.
In July 2018, two traffic lanes to the west will be reinstated, along with the central traffic island.
• Traffic reinstatement at Solonos street, between 25 Martiou street and “Minas Patrikiou” park:
It is the first time that this connection be effected at the end of 2018, after the removal of the TBMs.
The Thessaloniki Metro Project is near completion, even through there are people who cannot bear it. More specifically:
• Rails will be placed by June 2019
• The first train will arrive at Thessaloniki in February 2019
• The Depot will be completed in spring 2019
• The trial operation of the Metro system will commence at the end of 2019.
In view of the above, the second direction concerns the future progress of the Project. After the on site inspection by the heads of the European Parliament’s Committee on Transport conducted last week in Thessaloniki – and contrary to all disbelievers – the way has been paved for financing the Thessaloniki Extensions’ Project from EU funds.
It is known that the members of the Committee congratulated in public both the Ministry of Infrastructures and Transport and the Management of ATTIKO METRO S.A. for the rapid progress in the construction works and the effective – in the spirit of sustainable development – revealing of significant archaeological finds unearthed at VENIZELOU & AGHIA SOFIA Stations; at the same time, they committed themselves for the very first time to use EU funds, in order to finance Thessaloniki Metro Extensions’ to the West and to the Airport, at the east side of the city.
In this respect, for the first time since the commencement of the Project, a public consultation was conducted which commenced in May 2017, for the extension of the Metro network to the Airport, and culminated in April and May 2018 for the extension to the western suburbs. Requests made by Local Authorities and Agencies have already been integrated in the planning of the Metro extensions, while future needs shall be taken into account in the design for the complete development of Thessaloniki Metro; this design will be prepared by the Transport Organization for Thessaloniki (OSETH) and ATTIKO METRO S.A. in view of “drawing” the transportation map for combined trips in the 21st century.
Finally, the third direction of this three-day event program concerns the contribution of Thessaloniki Metro Project as indicator of the sustainable development of the wider area. Through a new and innovative policy, the Metro Project is considered more and more as an agency of sustainable and fair development for the city, since it operates as a lever for:
• Economic growth
• Improvement of welfare
• Protection of the environment
• Revealing the cultural heritage
since the construction of Metro stations, which shall also constitute open archaeological sites, shall reveal the cultural heritage of the city and shall make Thessaloniki a worldwide tourist attraction.
This three-day event is the natural continuation of the extrovert policy of ATTIKO METRO S.A. which was based on social accountability and democratic scrutiny exerted by the citizens themselves.
Major projects belong to Greek citizens. They pay for them, thus they are their natural owners.
Thank you”.
