Athens: the new projects’ epicenter once again  

After 12 years of large-scale projects all over Greece, the epicenter of big infrastructure projects returns to Attica with the addition of Thessaloniki this time.

Between 2004 and 2017, all the weight for new projects was distributed between the construction of the new motorways in Mainland Greece and the completion of crucial infrastructure in regions that were lagging behind in comparison with Athens and other developed European regions. More or less, this target has been now accomplished with a few supplementary projects still pending.

Athens is yet again in the spotlight with: the new Metro Line 4, the extension of Suburban Railway Line to Lavrion and Rafina, the new extension of Attiki Motorway to Lavrion and Vouliagmenis Ave., the huge investment in Hellinikon, the new Cruise Pier in Piraeus Port, the new Intercity Buses Terminal of Attica region in Eleonas area, the new logistics center in Thriassion, the undergrounding of the railway line between Rouf and “Three Bridges” interchange and the undergrounding of Metro Line 1 for the section between Faleron and Piraeus.

In this picture, strong project, very much likely to be tendered in the near future, if they secure necessary funds, are: Athens Metro Line 2 extension to Ilion and Glyfada and the Tram Lines’ extension to different areas (Patisia district close to the center of Athens and Argyroupoli, Keratsini, Freatida etc. towards the capital’s seafront).

At the same time, Thessaloniki is planning the implementation of crucial projects such as: the completion of Thessaloniki Metro’s Main Line and its extension shortly after, the new railway line between Thessaloniki and Ksanthi, the new Western Suburban Railway line, the completion of the 6^th Pier of Thessaloniki’s Port, the extension of the “Makedonia” International Airport while on a second level the development of a supporting to the Metro, Tram network, the long-desired sea transportation system and the renovation of the city’s Eastern Ring Road are also considered.

All the above are strongly dependent on the positive function of Juncker Plan, the new NSRF and the successful transition of the projects that failed to absorb fund from this program period, to the next one, between 2021 and 2027.

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com

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