The EU Regional Policy Commissioner Ms. Corina Creţu, together with Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, Director at the European Commission, Directorate – General for Regional and Urban Policy and Ms. Sabine Bourdy, Head of Unit at the European Commission, Directorate – General for Regional and Urban Policy, accompanied by the Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism, Mr. George Stathakis, and the Head of the European Delegation Commission in Greece, Mr. Panos Karvounis, visited on 20.05.2015 the Metro Operations Control Centre (OCC) at SYNTAGMA Station. As known, all Metro works executed in Athens and Thessaloniki are funded by the EU and EIB development programs.
The delegation was welcomed by the Chairman and Managing Director of ATTIKO METRO S.A. Mr. Christos Tsitouras and the Chairman of Managing Director of STASY S.A. Mr. Nikos Papathanassis, who informed the guests about the Athens Metro operation, as well as the investment plan implemented by ATTIKO METRO S.A..
Then, a delegation headed by Director at the European Commission, Directorate – General for Regional and Urban Policy, Ms. Charlina Vitcheva, and the Head of Unit at the European Commission, Directorate – General for Regional and Urban Policy, Ms. Sabine Bourdy, made a technical visit at the Metro worksite at Nikea, accompanied by the Chairman and Managing Director of ATTIKO METRO S.A. Mr. Christos Tsitouras who welcomed them with the following statement: “I informed the EU Regional Policy Commissioner Ms. Corina Creţu, as well as her delegation, about all Metro and Tramway works currently under design, supervision and construction by ATTIKO METRO S.A. in Athens and Thessaloniki. Today, we are visiting the under construction NIKEA Metro Station, where the most extensive transport and environmental Project – i.e. the Metro extension to Piraeus – is under execution. The construction of the Project advances at a rapid pace well within time schedule and budget. We believe that by the beginning of 2018 citizens and tourists arriving in Greece will need 45 min. to cover the distance from Piraeus to the Athens International Airport”.
The works for the construction of Line 3 Extension from AGHIA MARINA to DIMOTIKO THEATRO commenced on March 1st, 2012 and this is the most extensive transport project currently implemented in the capital of Greece, encompassing 7.6km of tunnels and 6 new stations, running along areas in grave need of well organized fixed route transport services. It is expected that upon its completion, the Metro Line 3 Extension to Piraeus shall serve 130,000 passengers on a daily basis. The total cost of the project amounts to € 748 million. The main contract for the construction of this project has been awarded to a Joint Venture of Greek and European companies. The project is expected to be commissioned in the beginning of 2018. So far, it progresses smoothly, with no major problems or delays, while archaeological investigations in the worksite areas have already been completed.
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) commenced its operation in September 2013 from Aghia Varvara Startup Shaft; in June 2014 it arrived at AGHIA VARVARA Station, in November 2014 at KORYDALLOS Station and on April 24th 2015 at NIKEA Station well within the foreseen Time Schedule. After a short scheduled maintenance period, the TBM will continue its drive inconspicuously and without causing any disturbance to the operation of the city, towards MANIATIKA Station, where it is expected to arrive by the end of 2015. The TBM will bore a total of 6.5 km. of tunnel, while the remaining part of the extension (beginning and end of the project) shall be constructed using conventional methods, namely NATM underground excavation method. Currently, more than 800 persons of various disciplines are employed in the stations under construction, i.e. AGHIA VARVARA, KORYDALLOS, NIKEA, MANIATIKA, PIRAEUS and DIMOTIKO THEATRO, where worksites are in full swing. By the completion of the project, the total number of people engaged in this extension is expected to rise to approximately 2,000 employees, so that the Metro extension to Piraeus is commissioned, as scheduled, at the beginning of 2018.
Upon completion of this Project, a vital Transportation Hub is expected to be created at PIRAEUS Station, connecting two Metro Lines (Lines 1 and 3), Piraeus Port, the Suburban Railway and the Tramway Extension to Piraeus (5.4 km of single line and 12 stops) already under construction, facilitating thus transfers to/from all public transport modes. Moreover, connecting Piraeus Port with Athens International Airport through the Metro Line 3 Extension shall generate substantial growth that will benefit both the wider area of Athens and the national economy in general.
Minister of Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism Mr. Giorgos Stathakis, EU Regional Policy Commissioner Ms. Corina Creţu and ATTIKO METRO S.A. Chairman and Managing Director Mr. Christos Tsitouras.
