Commissioner Pierre Moscovici, Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, visited today the Piraeus Extension Metro Project and, in particular, KORYDALLOS Station worksite at Eleftherias square. The construction of the Metro extension to Piraeus, as well as all Metro works in Athens and Thessaloniki, are funded by the EU development programs and low-interest loans obtained from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Mr. Pierre Moscovici and his associates were welcomed at KORYDALLOS Station worksite by Mr. Michalis Chrisochoidis, Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks and Mr. Christos Tsitouras, Chairman and Managing Director of ATTIKO METRO S.A.; Mr. Tsitouras briefed Mr. Moscovici on the projects executed by ATTIKO METRO S.A. and namely on the Metro extension to Piraeus.
Mr. Christos Tsitouras, Chairman and Managing Director of ATTIKO METRO S.A. made the following statement: “I briefed Mr. Pierre Moscovici on all Metro and Tramway Projects that ATTIKO METRO S.A. designs, supervises and constructs in Athens and Thessaloniki. We are here today, in KORYDALLOS Station, which forms part of the Metro extension to Piraeus, the most extensive transport and environmental project currently under development. The Project construction advances at a rapid pace well within Time Schedule and Budget. We are confident that by 2017 it shall take 45min. for the citizens and tourists visiting Greece to cover the distance from Piraeus to Athens International Airport. I also informed the Commissioner that the Ministry of POMEDY and ATTIKO METRO S.A. intend to announce –in the immediate future- the tender for Section “A” of Line 4 “Alsos Veikou-Goudi”, a project with an overall budget of approximately 1.25 billion €, destined to serve densely populated areas of Athens”.
The works for the construction of the Metro extension to Piraeus, the most extensive transport Project currently executed in the capital of Greece, commenced on March 1st 2012. This is a 7.6km long extension, with six new Stations, serving areas acutely in need of fixed route transportation modes. The Piraeus extension, once completed, is expected to serve more than 130,000 citizens on a daily basis. The overall Project cost rises to 748 million €. The Base Contract has been awarded to a Consortium of Greek and European companies. This Project, scheduled to be delivered in 2017, progresses smoothly without any particular problems or delays so far and the relevant archaeological surveys in the worksite areas have been completed.
On November 25th 2014, the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) arrived at KORYDALLOS Station, having bored a total of 2,110m. of tunnel, along the Aghia Marina – Dimotiko Theatro Line 3 Extension (total length: 7.6km, 6 Stations). The TBM started its journey on September 4th 2013 from Aghia Marina Startup Shaft, arrived at AGHIA MARINA Station on June 16th 2014 and at KORYDALLOS Station right on schedule. After a brief maintenance period, TBM shall recommence its course without causing any disturbance to the city’s activities heading towards NIKEA Station, where it is anticipated to arrive in May 2015. A total of 6.5km of tunnel shall be bored using the TBM, while the remaining tunnel section, at the beginning and at the end of the extension, shall be constructed using conventional underground boring methods. Today, more than 800 professionals of various disciplines are employed at the worksites of AGHIA VARVARA, KORYDALLOS, NIKEA, MANIATIKA, PIRAEUS and DIMOTIKO THEATRO Stations, where works are in full swing, while approximately a total of 2,000 persons are estimated to be engaged in the Project until its completion.
Once this project is completed, PIRAEUS Station will become a vital transportation hub which will connect two Metro lines (Lines 2 & 3), the Port, the Suburban Railway and the Tramway, thus facilitating transfer to/from all Transportation Modes. Finally, the connection between Piraeus port and the Athens International Airport, ensured by Metro Line 3, shall generate substantial growth benefits for the wider area of Athens and, by extension, for the National Economy.
