Full steam ahead for 3.46 billion euro worth of railway projects

The plan of the six new generation railway projects that will put the vision for the emergence of the country on tracks as a freight hub is entering the implementation phase. These six projects, with a total budget of 3.46 billion euros, will connect the major ports with the railway, creating a network that will connect Greece with southeastern and central Europe.

In order to run the procedures, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is recruiting legal and technical consultants to support ERGOSE in bidding for the projects through the competitive dialogue process.

The goal is for Greece not to miss the… train, for the current programming period 2021-2027, which is already counting down. The choice of the design-construction method is considered to drastically accelerate the maturation processes of the projects. On the other hand, the classic way of performing railway works to date estimates a good scenario of 6.5 years for the finalization of the studies and the emergence of a contractor.

Yesterday, the call for expressions of interest for the selection of a contractor for the provision of specialized legal and legal support services for the auction of these projects was posted in diavgia.gr. It was preceded, on May 17, 2021, by the publication of the invitation for the provision of technical support consulting services. The estimated value of each of the two contracts amounts to 74,400 euros (including VAT).

The map of the six works

The six projects for which the technical and legal advisor will be called to provide support to ERGOSE to launch the tender procedures are the following:

i. Upgrading of an existing Railway Line in the section Alexandroupolis – Ormenio, with a total length of 178 km in a double line with installation of signaling systems and ETCS Level1 and electric drive, as well as upgrading of stations / stops.

ii. New Railwaý Line Thessaloniki – Amfipoli – Nea Karvali – Toxotes, with a total length of 206 km., in new southern alignment, with signaling, ETCS, electric drive.

iii. Railway connection of the 6th Pier of Thessaloniki Port with a new single railway line that will connect with the existing line and construction of a Suburban Railway of Western Thessaloniki and in particular:
• New railway stops for the service of suburban type trains
• Reconstruction of stations or stops on existing operating lines
• Reconstruction of the Zeitenlik bypass line and its extension to Lagadá Street for the use of light trains
• New line from the Commercial Station (Old station) parallel to the border of the port zone for the approach of Pier 1.

iv. Completion of the Railway Line Corinth – Patras in the section Rio – New Port of Patras, with construction of a new double line, with a total length of approximately 11 km, with signaling, ETCSLevel1, electrification and environmental restoration works. The new line is located for the most part on the alignment of the existing line. Part of the project will be underground with a Cut & Cover method, approximately 5.1 km long.

v. Expansion of the Athens Suburban Railway Network to Rafina and connection with the Port of Rafina, with a total length of approximately 17 km. Two alternative layouts have been considered:

· Connection of the existing suburban stop at Pallini through the constructed of a railway corridor of the road Stavros – Rafina with the Port or
· Connection of the port of Rafina through the existing railway line from the airport (North exit of the airport).

The project studied so far envisages stations in Pallini, Artemida, and Rafina. Depending on the layout, Pikermi and / or Spata will also be served.