Kiato – Eghio railway section in Northern Peloponnese to operate in 2019

The projects that will put the train back “on track” to Eghio are now in full progress. According to ypodomes.com’s secure information, what remains to be done is superstructure works (i.e. track laying works), which are expected to be completed by November, putting the projects’ “final touches” concerning both stations’ and railway lines’ construction works.

More specifically, track laying works have already begun from Eghio and have been divided to different segments. The last pending section is the one reaching Kiato Station, where the new line will fit with the existing one and, consequently, with the rest of the country’s railway network.

Then, in order for the new double-track, high speed railway line to be released to commercial operation, trial itineraries will be carried out for the verification of the new infrastructure’s safety and functionality as well as the proper operation of the signaling systems and the stations’ ability to accommodate passengers.

According to the same sources, the launch of the new line is scheduled for the end of the Winter ( or early Spring) 2019. It is noteworthy that TRAINOSE in order to “prepare” the passengers for the delivery of Eghio Station, has added a new stop in its intercity bus service. With the operation of the new line, the bus line will be operating between Patra and Eghio.

It is reminded that the operation of the new line has been significantly delayed (it remained closed for a decade), compared to the original schedule, with one of the main reasons being the time-consuming expropriations. The project has a budget of 270m euros and the contractor of this “sweep” contact is J/V Mitilineos – Ksanthakis – Thales. The total cost for the line’s upgrade is estimated to exceed half a billion euros.

The electrification of the line will follow, with a separate contract, for which a relevant tender is at an advanced stage. AKTOR has been declared as a temporary contractor for the project that will complete the line. Its duration set at 30 months, so, provided that construction works start in 2019 then, they are expected to be completed in 2021.

The new double-track railway line

When fully completed, the new line will allow electric trains to reach Eghio at speeds as high as 200 km/h, and in a much more cost efficient and environmentally friendly way.

The new Kiato – Rododafni railway section will be 71 km long, will have 3 railway stations ( in Ksylokastro, Akrata and Eghio) and 6 stops (Diminio, Lykoporia, Lyghia Derveniou, Platanos, Diakopto and Elliki). The speed in Kiato  -Lykoporia section will be up to 200 km/h and in Lykoporia – Rododafni section, 150 km/h. The new section will be featuring 6 tunnels with a total length of 5.5 km, 8 escape tunnels with a total length of 2.1 km, 13 cut & cover works with a total length of 1,710 meters, 18 railway bridges and 60 unlevel crossings.

The new double-track Kiato – Rododafni railway line is fenced and unleveled in its entirety, enhancing safety for pedestrians, animals, vehicles, trains and passengers. Projects have been funded by the 3rd CSF, NSRF 2007-2013 as well as the current NSRF 2014-2020.

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com