Partial undergrounding of Athens Metro Line 1 to be funded by NSRF

The project for the undergrounding of Athens Metro Line 1 section Faliro-Piraeus, as it seems, will proceed with funds from NSRF 2014-2020.

According to information of ypodomes.com, the project’s integration into the current programming period is almost secured and the project will be able to be implemented.

This means that, once it is included in NSRF, its maturation process will run simultaneously with the preparation of its tender documents, in order for the tender to be approved by the Managing Authority. The cost of the project is roughly 100m euros.

In relevant documents from the General Secretariat of Public Investments and NSRF as well as EPDM it is noted that it is a potentially eligible project by the Operational Program YMEPERAA, provided that a corresponding decision is also taken by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

NSRF inclusion proceeds – The need for the project’s implementation

According to information available to ypodomes.com, at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the matter is moving forward and the willingness to integrate the project into NSRF 2014-2020 and more specifically in the O.P. YMEPERAA is considered certain.

It should be reminded that the Municipality of Piraeus has put the undergrounding project very high in its agenda and pushed for its implementation as it believes that the project release enough space for the creation of an avenue that can tackle traffic, especially in the summer, to and from the port.

The project involves the undergrounding of the lines immediately after Faliro Station, the construction of a new underground station named Kaminia (at the intersection of Iroon Polytechniou and O. Skilitsi streets) and the elevation of the lines at Piraeus Station Terminal.

A project with long history

Here, we are talking about one of the most classic ‘mock-up’ projects. The discussion for the undergrounding of this section has been around since 2000 as a project combined with the Tram.

Eventually, due to the reactions the tramway changed its original design and was tendered as an independent project (and is expected to be delivered this summer).

After many years and many setbacks, the project has acquired approved environmental licensing which is considered to be a major advantage that could, in theory, lead to its implementation soon, soon, upon its integration to NSRF, satisfying a decades-long request of Piraeus to stop being ‘bisected’.