1999), the approved Athens Metro Development
Plan provided for the construction of two new
extensions, which would, in essence, be branches
of the existing lines, i.e. Line 2 (Panepistimio-
Exarhia-Alexandras Ave.-Dikastiria-Kypseli-Galatsi-
Alsos Veikou) and Line 3 (Panormou-Faros-Sidera-
OAKA-Paradissos-Maroussi).
During the preliminary design stage, it turned out
that owing to technical considerations these exten-
sions could not be branches of existing lines, since
this would lead to major construction and opera-
tional deficiencies (interruption of line operation,
complex construction, high cost, frequency of itin-
eraries, etc.).
So, Attiko Metro S.A. proceeded with the design and
organisation of the interconnection of these exten-
sions and their development as Line 4, a new
autonomous U-shaped line, which shall include two
radial branches (Panepistimio-Galatsi and Katehaki-
Maroussi) and a central axis connecting these radi-
al branches through the areas of Pangrati
/Kaissariani, Ano Ilissia, Zografou and Goudi. Line 4
will connect with existing Lines 1 (at Maroussi, and
Perissos Stations), 2 (at Panepistimio Station) and 3
(at Evangelismos and Katechaki Stations).
The Evangelismos-Pagrati-Vyronas-Imitos-Ilioupoli
branch, essentially a part of new Line 5, was added
to this line, as well as the Marousi-Lykovrisi and
Alsos Veikou-Perissos extensions.
New Metro Line 4 is 33 km long, and will boast 30
new state-of-the-art stations with automatic dri-
verless trains, platform screen doors, CTBC wire-
less signalling system, advanced energy-saving
technology systems, etc. The estimated total con-
struction budget stands at 3.3 billion euros. This
project is expected to change the transportations
map of Athens, and significantly improve life in
the Attica basin.
The Railway Egnatia
One of the most ambitious railway network projects
in Greece, the “railway Egnatia”, which will cost at
least 5 billion euros, is about to be launched.
This is a major project that will provide railway
coverage to the entire North of Greece, from
Igoumenitsa in the west to Alexandroupolis in the
east.
It includes the Igoumenitsa-Ioannina-Thessaloniki
and Thessaloniki-Kavala-Xanthi sections (com-
pletely new routes) and the upgrading of the
Promachonas-Strymonas-Alexandroupolis-
Ormenio section.
The first section to be tendered is the existing line
from Alexandroupolis to Ormenio, to be followed
by the Strymonas-Alexandroupolis section.
Next in line is the brand new section from
Thessaloniki to Kavala and Xanthi (Toxotes area),
which will connect the capital of Northern Greece
with these two major urban centres, with estimat-
ed travel times of one hour and 90 minutes in
regard to Kavala and Xanthi respectively.
The construction of railway Egnatia will dramati-
cally reduce the time of travels between the cities
of western Macedonia and Athens. After the com-
pletion of the connection projects, which will lead
to the full utilisation of the Athens-Thessaloniki
axis, the journey from Kalambaka to Kozani will
take 50 minutes and from Trikala to Kozani will
take 1 hour.
The journey from Athens to Kozani via
Kalambaka will take 3 hours, from Athens to
Florina via Kalambaka 4 hours and 55 minutes
and from Athens to Ioannina via Kalambaka 3
hours and 30 minutes. This project will lead to the
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