Athens Tram: Project planning for the line’s second extension in Piraeus initiates

Attiko Metro, implementing entity of Tram works in Athens, recently tendered the topographic surveys required for the Tram line extension to Keratsini and Perama. For now, this appears to be the most important development regarding the future of the Tram network in Athens metropolitan area, even though funding has not yet been secured for the project’s materialization. The project is quite likely though to be incorporated in NSRF 2014-2020 in the following years.

The expansion is deliberately directed towards the westernmost bit of Piraeus as it is expected to serve more than 150,000 people in an area with insufficient transportation. More specifically, the line (starting from the -soon to be completed- terminal of Karaiskaki Sq. by the Port) will follow the perimeter to Drapetsona and from that point and on, the old tramline’s “trails” to Perama terminal via Dimokratias Av. The  extension will feature an overall length of 9 km (Karaiskaki Sq. to Dimokratias Av.: 4km and Dimokratias Av.-Perama Ferry: roughly another 5km).

In 2014 there had been an early attempt for the project’s official announcement but it never proceeded. The distance between Piraeus and the Fish Auction will be covered in just 10 minutes and, across that section, Tram will be functioning as “light metro” once there will not be any physical obstructions (e.g. road crossings, traffic lights, car traffic etc.). Regardless of the cost, which is yet to be determined, the project is expected to restore and upgrade parts of a densely populated area with sparse green spaces.

Topographic surveys will be followed by the final project plan. Tram Line extensions to Keratsini and Perama are clearly, feasible targets. Hopefully with their implementation, a demand of the local community will be finally fulfilled after many years of waiting.

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com

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