Council of State to decide the next step for Athens Metro Line 4 tender

Council of State’s decision for the first phase of the tender regarding the construction of new Athens Metro Line 4 is approaching. According to secure information provided at Ypodomes.com, on March 12, the CoS will review all appeals filed by the participants after the stage of expression of interest. If its legality is approved, Attiko Metro will initiate the second stage of the tender, which is the submission of the technical offers.

However, this stage is expected to last for several months and, upon its completion, the opening of the financial offers will follow, a crucial step after which the project’s contract will be awarded. At best, the construction phase will start in the second half of 2019, as the resolution of possible new appeals will take months, as well as the ratification of the contract by the Court of Auditors and the Parliament that will then lead to the final signatures.

The first phase of New Athens Metro Line 4 includes 15 underground stations in: ALSOS VEIKOU, GHALATSI, ELIKONOS, KIPSELI, DIKASTIRIA, ALEXANDRAS, EXARCHIA, AKADEMIA, KOLONAKI, EVANGELISMOS, KESARIANI, PANEPISTIMIOUPOLI, ILISSIA, ZOGRAFOU and GOUDI. The future line will provide connections to the existing Line 2 at ACADEMIA Station (via and underground passage from PANEPISTIMIO Station) and to EYAGGELISMOS Station of Line 3.

The cost of the project amounts to 1.8bn euros (VAT included) and the funds are secured by the EIB (75%) and NSRF 2014-2020.

It is reminded that the contenders for this great project are:

1. AKTOR-ANSALDO-HITACHI

2. TERNA-VINCI-SIEMENS

3. J&P AVAX-GHELLA-ALSTOM

4. MYTILINEOS-FCC-ARCHIRODON

New Line 4 will incorporate all the latest technological developments as ultra-fast driver trains will be used, and the platforms will be equipped with special safety doors that will open only upon trains’ arrivals. According to estimations 220,000 passengers will be transported on a daily basis. When completed, Line 4 will be 33.5 km long with 31 stations. Next phases of construction include extensions towards Athens-Thessaloniki Motorways Axis and Perissos (connection to Line 1). For these 2 extensions, funds of 1.5bn euros will be needed (amount excl. VAT).

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com

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