Upgraded railway section to be released by the end of 2018 in Northern Peloponnese

Significant progress has been made in the railway project that will “ressurect” the train line connecting Kiato and Eghio. According to Ypodomes.com report, superstructure works (i.e. the tracks) proceed very fast and has reached almost Derveni area, having covered the laying of the tracks for a length of approximately 40 km.

Progress is evident across the, under upgrade, line and now the question is how fast will the remaining 30 km of double tracks will be in place, in order for them to connect with the existing infrastructure in Kiato (current terminal).

If everything is completed by Autumn, a trial operation period will commence, finallly allowing ERGOSE to deliver the completed project to OSE and subsequently TRAINOSE, the operator.

This is likely to happen by the end of the year or early 2019, bringing significant changes in the transportation map of Northern Peloponnese and Athens. Almost 12 years after the suspension of train services in Northern Peloponnese, the train will finally return for good.  It is noted that for the time being, and roughly until 2021, the lines will operate without electrification (a relevant contract is expected to be signed soon) and the trains in use will be diesel-powered. The time distance between Athens and Eghio will be reduced to about 1 hour and 40 minutes, while diesel trains will be able to develop speeds of up to 150 km/h.

The “resurrection” of the railway line will bring modern railway infrastructure just 35 km outside of Patras city and until 2022 the train is expected to reach the doorstep of Patras, Rio.

Regarding the “arrival” of the train in the very last section of the line, from Rio to Aghios Dionysios in Patras, a tender has been announced for the end of 2018, including the study and the construction, a plan oriented towards the solution of the so-called “light undergrounding”, which will be implemented with an open trench and cut&cover method.

Nikos Karagiannis-ypodomes.com

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