New era for the railway – Tender for six emblematic projects with a budget of € 4 billion.

The new era for the railway marks the beginning of the tender for six emblematic railway projects with a total budget of € 4 billion which are implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport in collaboration with ERGOSE and will upgrade the commercial and strategic role of the main ports and the transport map.

These projects connect with speed and safety large ports of Greece (Thessaloniki, Patras, Alexandroupoli, Lavrio and Rafina) with the railway network. In this way, they change the transport map, upgrade the commercial and strategic scope of our ports, facilitate the connection of our country with the rest of Southeastern Europe and strengthen its international role.

Already, the Board of ERGOSE approved the invitation documents for submission of expression of interest, setting in motion the first phase of the Competition.

These are the following projects:
• Upgrading of the existing one with doubling and installation of signaling – ETCS and electrification of the railway line in the section Alexandroupolis – Ormenio with a budget of 1.07 billion €
• Construction of a new railway line Thessaloniki – Sagittarius with a budget of € 1.68 billion
• Railway connection of the 6th pier of the port of Thessaloniki & construction of a suburban West Thessaloniki with a budget of € 53.4 million
• Construction of a new suburban railway line in the section from the Koropi junction to Lavrio and the port of Lavrio with a budget of € 390.5 million.
• Construction of a new suburban railway line for the connection of Rafina and the port of Rafina with the existing railway network with a budget of € 308.6 million.
• Completion of the new double railway line Kiato – Patras in the Rio section – new port of Patras with a budget of € 476.5 million
• All projects will be auctioned with all their sub-projects (infrastructure, subsidy, electricity and systems), so that upon delivery for use they are immediately operational.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Costas Karamanlis stated: “For the first time in the history of Greece, the railway takes the place it deserves and the country needs. We are proud that today we are putting forward the largest railway project that has ever been done and that when it is completed it will change the transport map. Railway projects mean progress, strengthening the international position of our country, local development, better daily life and quality of life, protection of the environment. At the same time, they act as an economic multiplier to stimulate the market and create jobs. And we ensure these with our actions, not with big words and empty promises “.

The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, George Karagiannis, stated: “Today we are responding with projects to the timeless request for development and evolution. We are starting the tenders for six national railway projects, which serve the great strategic goal of making Greece the infrastructure hub of Southeastern Europe in the coming years. We are working to cover the lost ground of the past years and to give the country the position it deserves, while with a growth lever in the construction sector we are creating new jobs “.

The President and CEO of ERGOSE, Christos Vinis stressed: “From the first moment we took over the management of ERGOSE, our goal was to proceed with the design and implementation of vital projects that will change the landscape of passenger and freight transport in the country. us. We are very pleased that, with the guidance of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the valuable assistance of our human resources, we have met the challenge and are laying the foundations for the implementation of projects that will contribute to the much-needed development of the country. ”