In connection to recent articles published in the Press, ATTIKO METRO S.A. (AM) is obliged to respond, in order to provide the public with a complete and comprehensive picture on the matter.
It is known that the Project of Thessaloniki Metro was tendered on the basis of a preliminary design, using the design-construction method. In such tendering methods, underground and complex projects, as the construction from scratch of a Metro system within a densely populated urban area, usually have a long period for design maturing and for addressing the technical and other difficulties that emerge during construction. There are several changes regarding the locations and the construction method of the stations that were deemed necessary during the evolution of the Project and after the preparation of the final designs.
Today, the TBMs (Metro-moles) are located inside ANALIPSI Station area, because the excavation of the station itself has not yet been completed and, thus, the TBMs cannot advance in accordance with the contractual solution. The transfer of the TBMs to another area, as mentioned in various newspaper articles, is not foreseen by the contract. In addition, ATTIKO METRO S.A. has never issued a request for the transfer of the TBMs in an area in Kalohori.
Moreover, it should be stressed that the TBM tunnel boring is one of the many construction activities which is not critical for the completion of the Project. The “critical” activity was and still is the archaeological excavation, mainly at AGHIA SOFIA Station.
During the last weeks, the Contracting J/V has significantly reduced its construction activities, despite the fact that there are many work fronts where works can proceed in full swing and, thus, absorb the funds secured for the Project, on the pretext that it is faced with cash flow difficulties. It is worth noting that ATTIKO METRO S.A. always has and still is paying all Project certificates within the contractual deadlines and never owed or owes any amounts for executed works. At the same time, it takes all legal actions in order to deal with any delays that may occur.
Finally, we have to point out that ATTIKO METRO S.A. Management and the Management of Thessaloniki Metro, exhausting all possibilities provided for by the Contract and the Law and in strict adherence to a policy of transparency, always aims at informing all involved agencies and the Mass Media on every aspect related to the construction of this complex Project of Thessaloniki Metro, as agreed in the relevant Memorandum of the cooperative and social relationship that has been signed between ATTIKO METRO S.A. and all Authorities of Thessaloniki.
