Athens Metro begins feasibility studies for new Line 2 extension to the city’s Northwestern suburbs

The Hellenic Metro and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport initiated a lengthy process the day before yesterday, as it was announced that the feasibility study for the extension of Line 2 to Menidi has begun. This is one of the many planned expansions in the pipeline of the Elliniko Metro, bringing the Metropolitan Railway to the western edge of the capital.

Of course, for the extension to Acharnae to be realized, the extension of Line 2 to Ilion (Anthoupoli–Agios Nikolaos) must first be completed. This project has been under tender for nearly 18 months.

This extension will bring the metro to the border of Ilion and Kamatero, with the next phase extending it further to cover three more densely populated areas. However, for now, we are discussing a study that will evaluate whether the project is commercially viable. In the future, many more studies will be required, including geotechnical, topographical, and preliminary design studies for the tender process. These will bring the project to a level of maturity that allows it to secure funding and eventually be tendered, likely at some point in the next decade.

Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Nikos Tachiaos, was particularly cautious regarding the timeline for implementation, stating: “At this stage, we cannot provide specific timelines. The only thing I can say is that Hellenic Metro S.A. currently has the mandate to proceed with the planning and carry out the feasibility and viability study for the project. This study is absolutely essential for us to integrate it into an upcoming financing tool.”

Where the Three New Stations Will Be Built

The extension of the Metro, specifically Line 2, toward Menidi, will include three new underground stations. The first station, KAMATERO, will be built on Fylis Street. The second station, ZEFYRI, will connect with the Zefyri station of the Suburban Railway. The terminal station, ACHARNAE, will be located in the center of Menidi.

The Elliniko Metro has determined the route of the project, with topographical studies already completed up to the second station at the intersection with Attiki Odos.

According to the Elliniko Metro’s schedule, the remaining topographical studies, along with geological, geophysical, and geotechnical surveys and studies, will be tendered in the near future. The project’s maturation is estimated to be completed by 2027-2028.

This means that, potentially and depending on the needs and priorities of the Athens Metro network, the project could be scheduled for funding within the framework of the next programming period (at the earliest, the 2028-2034 period).

The Metro extension to Menidi will serve the most remote northwestern areas of the metropolitan area of the capital. It will cover three different municipalities: Agioi Anargyroi-Kamatero, Fyli, and Acharnes-Thrakomakedones. Together, these three municipalities have a combined population exceeding 210,000 residents and host significant artisanal and, in some cases, industrial activity.

With the Metro connection at the ZEFYRI station of the Suburban Railway, passengers will be able to transfer between the Metro network and the Suburban Railway network, and vice versa. This will provide significant new alternative options for travel using the fixed-track transportation systems of the capital.

At the same time, the connection to the large and geographically extensive Municipality of Acharnes will bring the Metro to a developing area. The journey from Acharnes to Omonia will take approximately 23 minutes, compared to the nearly one hour currently required by bus or private vehicle.

With the extension to Ilion, Line 2 will have a total of 26 stations, stretching from Elliniko to Acharnes. If the extension to Glyfada is added, the Red Line will reach a total of 28 stations.

The Extension to Ilion

At present, priority is given to the extension of the Red Line 2, from Anthoupoli to Agios Nikolaos in Ilion. This will be the first extension of the line in 10 years. To recall, the extensions to Elliniko and Anthoupoli became operational in 2013, and since then, no further expansions have been made, as efforts were focused on Line 4.

The tender process began in May 2023 with the expression of interest phase. The current goal is to move to the second phase and, if possible, to select the contractor for the major project this year with the submission of bids.

The project has an estimated cost of €680 million, with funding being sought from the 2021-2027 NSRF resources. The three stations to be added to the network are: PALATIANI, ILION, and AGIOS NIKOLAOS. The ILION station is planned to become an interchange station in the future, connecting with the extension of Line 4 to Petroupoli.

In this way, Line 2 is partly reclaiming its nickname as the “Line of Saints.” Until 2013, before the extensions to Elliniko and Anthoupoli were inaugurated, Line 2 stretched from Agios Dimitrios to Agios Antonios, earning it the moniker “Line of Saints.”

According to plans by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and Attiko Metro, the Metro network is set to expand further in the coming years. Planned extensions include: Kallithea at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (Line 1), Glyfada (Line 2), Petroupoli and Lykovrysi (Line 4), and Varibobi (Line 1).

The goal is for the network to reach at least 120 stations by 2040, covering the majority of metropolitan Athens.

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