The development of Thessaloniki’s underground network

On 20th January 2018 in hessaloniki, Greece, the first conference took place on the development of the city of Thessaloniki, which was jointly organized by the Greek Institute for Research and Development (ELINEKA), the “Journal-Thessaloniki political agenda" and “Myportal.gr”.

In his speech, Professor Yannis A. Mylopoulos, President of the Attiko Metro SA provided an overview of the state-of-the-art and progress of the works related to the construction and extension of Thessaloniki’s underground network.

He pointed out that the full implementation of the underground in Thessaloniki in 2020 will change radically the current transport network of the city. It is currently the largest transport infrastructure project ongoing in Greece and will foster the economic, tourist, environmental and social development of the city. Generally speaking, the construction of new underground lines generates surplus value, creates new jobs, improves urban traffic by making it more efficient and less congested, and reduces air pollution in the urban environment.

Among several issues explained, he reported that the expansion of the line towards Kalamaria, which started in June 2013, is still underway, and continues to be carried out at a satisfactory pace. The total executed percentage of the extension of the line to Kalamaria currently stands at 50%. According to the scheduled plan, at the end of 2018 all tunnels and stations should be completed in Kalamaria.

The underground network will be extended in the Western part of the city with two lines (Stavroupoli and Evosmos extensions) allowing these well populated districts to be better and more quickly connected to the center and the whole urban network. So far, the inhabitants of Western Thessaloniki have been obliged to take the bus and change several times to get to the workplaces located in the centre and the Eastern part of the city. It is expected that, as happened in Athens some years ago, the districts that will be crossed by metro lines will see the value of real estate increase and benefit from urban regeneration processes.

The discovery of an archeological site during the excavation works in Venizelou station allowed, after a long debate with interested stakeholders, the conceptualisation of an innovative brand new station that will enable the coexistence of different cultures – as the archeological site has not been moved - and modern technological infrastructure, thanks to the support of the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Greek Ministry of Culture.

The works are expected to be completed and the new extensions to enter into service at the beginning of 2022.

Source: Story first published in February on Myportal.gr