In the importance of the project of upgrading the Suburban Railway of Western Attica, in the section Ano Liosia – Neos S.S. Megaron, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport mentioned in detail, Christos Staikourasspeaking to APE-MPE.

“This is an important project, with secured funding, which will significantly improve the daily life of the citizen”, he said characteristically.

More specifically, according to Mr. Staikouras, “the project concerns the construction of a new suburban railway branch from Ano Liosia to Megara, within the existing railway corridor of the old railway line to Peloponnese. This line will serve the freight project, the facilities of ELPE Aspropyrgos and Elefsina, while there will be provision for passenger transfer on the lines of the existing network. Also, the new line will connect Western Attica with Athens, El. Venizelos, Piraeus and the rest of the railway network”.

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport emphasized: “In this way, we achieve significant time and money savings for citizens, as well as significant environmental benefits. At the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, sustainable urban mobility is an important priority in our strategic planning. With planning, responsibility and efficiency, we work intensively and implement projects to improve the quality of life of all citizens”.

In particular, as the minister pointed out, “the total length of the new suburban branch will be 34.6 km, and during its operation it will serve – among others – Aspropyrgos, Elefsina, Nea Peramos and Megara, ensuring the interconnection of the settlements of Western Attica with each other. The final project will include electrification and signalling, as well as the required interfaces with the SKA – Kiato high-speed line, while the maximum permitted speed of the line will be 80 km/h. As noted, the scope of the project includes, among others:

  • the construction of the line infrastructure, standard gauge, with new materials,
  • the construction of hydraulic works for the drainage of the line,
  • the construction of new bridges,
  • the local rehabilitation of level crossings,
  • the construction of platforms and shelters at the stations,
  • the readjustment of the external spaces to the requirements of the disabled,
  • the constructions for marking and securing the permanent installations,
  • the installation of a signaling system with ETCS and remote control,
  • the works of installing Station Information Systems,
  • all kinds of infrastructures to serve the Railway Systems.

At the same time, the benefits of the project include the following:

  • Saving the cost of commuting the passengers of the suburban bus.
  • Saving time in passenger movements
  • Reliability of the transport service provided and avoidance of delays, due to not mixing with the rest of the traffic.
  • Comfort and safety of commuters, due to better traffic and parking conditions.
  • Better waiting conditions at stops.
  • Saving time for those traveling by car or bus, due to the reduction of traffic congestion that will be caused by the suburban train.
  • Reduction of accidents.
  • Service for the disabled.
  • Reduction of pollutants and noise level
  • Improvement of the operating conditions of the area as a whole.

The project has approved environmental conditions and meets the conditions of the Community directive. More specifically:

  1. It is expected to lead to mitigation of climate change, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. It does not significantly burden climate change adaptation as it does not lead to an increased negative impact of actual and expected climate conditions on the project itself or on people, natural resources or assets.
  3. It does not significantly burden the sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources.
  4. It does not significantly impact the circular economy, including waste prevention and recycling, due to the nature of the project.
  5. It is expected to lead to a reduction in atmospheric emissions due to the electrification of the existing railway line.

Regarding the projected cost of the project, according to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, it amounts to 98.4 million euros, which includes a percentage of 9% for unforeseen costs and an amount for accounting work.

“After the completion of the auction, the contractual price was 95.7 million euros. The project was included in the Recovery and Resilience Fund, with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as the responsible Ministry, and the OSE as the Implementing Agency. It thus proves, once again, that the projects financed by the Recovery and Resilience Fund concern the many, and economically most vulnerable”, explained Mr. Staikouras.

Regarding, finally, the completion of the construction of the project, namely the constructions of the “Research – Studies – Construction” period (T1) and its delivery to OSE S.A., Mr. Staikouras added, as defined by the Service, to 28 months, starting on the day the Agreement is signed. Within this deadline, any projects included in this Agreement will be fully completed and put into operation, in accordance with the Contract Documents.