ERGOSE: Full steam ahead for railway projects worth over 4.5 billion euros

ERGOSE raises speeds on two fronts to turn the page on Greek railways. In order to ink the six new generation projects of the big package of 4 billion euros, in the first quarter of 2023, the tenders are “running” with strict deadlines. The projects that were auctioned in the last two years, amounting to 515.3 million euros, are underway, while contracts that have been dragging along are coming to an end by the end of 2022, bringing closer the goal of the Athens – Thessaloniki route to be travelled in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

The President and CEO of ERGOSE, Mr. Christos Vinis, yesterday, at a press conference, gave an account of the work of the last two years, “since taking office in October 2019, we focused on solving timeless problems. Our goal is to ‘unlock’ critical projects and to proceed with their implementation, in order to modernize the Greek railway network.”

When will the modernization of the Athens-Thessaloniki axis be completed?

In the above context, the contract – legend of the Greek railway, the well-known 717, which has lasted for 10 years, is finally expected to be completed at the end of 2022. This is the biggest obstacle that the current management of ERGOSE was called upon to overcome, solving a tangle of problems, claims for compensation, financial obstacles. After its reactivation in 2020, the following sections have already been handed over to OSE for use: Plati – Thessaloniki, SKA – Oinoi and Paleofarsalos Railway Station, Thessaloniki – Promachonas.

Essentially, with the completion of this contract, which concerns the installation of signaling and ETCS on the main axis, as well as the second axis of the Gallikos Bridge, also within 2022, the way is now open for the journey from Athens to Thessaloniki by train to take just 3 hours and 15 minutes. This will mean the end of active contracts on the country’s main railway axis. However, there will be maintenance contracts that are part of active contracts, while work will be done only around the line.

The competition for the construction manager is under way

At the same time, bidding competitions, which started in the previous two years by ERGOSE, are already in various phases of development, totaling 515.3 million euros. These are projects that aim mainly at upgrading the existing network with the installation of electrical cabling, signaling and telecommunications systems.

In particular, for the subsidy and electrification project in Rododafni – Rio, the second registration of minutes is already being prepared by the Tender Committee. At the same stage, the second phase of the Athens Railway Station and the electrification for the section Paleofarsalos – Kalampaka are at a similar stage. Also, the electrification contract of Kiato – Rododafni has been sent to the Court of Auditors for approval, while for two projects an invitation for the signing of the contract has been sent. This is the installation of an electric drive and signaling system on the line Larissa – Volos and the installation of signaling for the Thessaloniki – Eidomeni line. Finally, the station in Agios Panteleimon of Pieria is already under construction.

Given the large geographical spread of the projects and the need to assist the company in the implementation and supervision of ongoing projects, ERGOSE is hiring a ConstructionManager. According to Mr. Vinis, the pre-approval has already been received from the managing authority and the tender will proceed immediately. It is noted that the Construction Manager will undertake the assistance of the company in the open contracts, which correspond to an outstanding approximately 300 million euros, as well as in the new ones worth 515.3 million.

Full steam ahead for the competitive dialogue

The head of ERGOSE appeared optimistic about the six major projects of the competitive dialogue, which aim to connect the country’s major ports to the network, but also to improve the country’s cross-border connections with Bulgaria and Turkey. It is estimated that within the next two months, the Committees of the six tenders, which add up the largest package of projects for Greek rails, amounting to 4 billion euros, will have completed the First Minutes.

The second and most demanding stage of the process, that of competitive dialogue, will then be announced. It is noted that it is foreseen that there will be a four-on-four consultation with the interested economic actors in order to reach the optimal solution for each project. ERGOSE’s scheduling, as long as there are no obstacles for appeals from the participants, wants this stage to be completed in one year and the contracts to be signed in the first quarter of 2023.

In this very demanding and tight process ERGOSE will be assisted by six project managers to find the best solution, control the implementation studies and supervise works.