The Thessaloniki Metro, a project that went through Sympligades, is being put into traffic today, but today it is being inaugurated, radically reshaping the city’s transport map and invigorating the movements of the passenger community.
It was the distant 1986, when the mayor of thessaloniki at the time, sotiris Kouvelas, dreamed of creating a subway in the city.Today, 38 years later and through many difficulties, obstacles and delays, the time has come when Thessaloniki will not only have a metro, but it will be one of the most modern and prominent in Europe, as a “jewel” as it has many. times characterized by Greeks and foreigners who have already visited it.
The most crucial stations
Sotiris Kouvelas’ initiative was launched when a sign was placed announcing a metro construction project, funded by the city radio station FM100. Of course, the tunnel that was opened was never used and it was finally in 1992 when the project was auctioned using the co-financing method with a Concession Agreement.
The “Thessaloniki Metro” consortium undertook the project in March 1999 with the approval of the concession contract by the Hellenic Parliament and three years later… it ended due to lack of funds.
There was PASOK Minister Vaso Papandreou, who served as PEHODE Minister in the period 2001-2004, acted and re-auctioned the project as a publicfunded by the European Union.
On April 7, 2006, during the goverment of Karamanlis, the contract is signed with the contractor AEGEK IMPREGILO-ANSALDO TSF-SELI-ANSALDOBREDA with a budget of 1.052 billion euros and ending in October 2012.
on November 30, 2007 PEHODE Minister Giorgos Souflias was the one who welcomed the first of the two cities which would be used to open the tunnels, and the second came in 2008.
(GIORGOS KONTARINIS / EUROKINISSI)
The problems, delays and antiquities
The main reasons why there were so many construction problems in the construction of the Thessaloniki Metro are the choice to complete the project with the study-build method and the drawing of the baseline on Egnatias Street, despite the repeated statements of the archaeologists others who would bring the work to them.light that many antiquities and excavations would be required,which also means delay.
Somehow, we came to 2013, when the Central Council of Archeology finally agreed with the decision to remove the antiquities and relocate them at Venizelos stationwhich was frequently enough found one step before its operation was abandoned.
The decision for in situ conservation of antiquities taken in October 2015 during the SYRIZA government and KAS approved the relevant study in early 2017.
On September 7, 2019, the newly elected Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that the results would be abolished and relocated within Venizelos station, and a series of appeals to the Council of State followed, which were finally decisively rejected two years later after that.
The implementation of the Thessaloniki metro was also considerably delayed due to the financial problems faced by the project contractor AEGEK,caused during the economic crisis. In 2017,during the Tsipras government,the project was transferred to AKTOR,which had already done the extension to Kalamaria.In 2023, Intrakat took control of AKTOR and since then the implementation of the project “ran” at the speed of light.
The cost
As the political leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport indicated recently,the metro of Thessaloniki cost 3 billion. euro, together with the extension to Kalamaria which is expected to be ready for use by the end of 2025, and the construction of the main line brought more than 300,000 archaeological finds to the surface.
13 stations
And so,in the middle of Sympligades and between Scylla and Charybdis,we arrived at the present day. The opening ceremony of the main metro line of Thessaloniki will be held at 12 noon by the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. As soon as the Prime minister presses the button at the ultra-modern Thessaloniki metro Control Center at Pylaia Station, all 13 stations of the 9.8 km long main line will be opened and the metro will be made available to the public for use., which for four days will be able to use it entirely free and then the ticket price will be € 0.60.
Read more:
→ Metro Thessaloniki: An almost 50-year-old idea, the Kouvela hole, the 18-year-old Calvary and the 3 billion euros
→ Metro Thessaloniki: The ancient history of the city comes to light
→K. Mitsotakis from “Venizelou” station: The metro will change the whole face of Thessaloniki
What are the key architectural features of the Thessaloniki Metro that set it apart from other European metro systems?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Metro Expert
Time.news Editor: Good morning and welcome to our special edition on the inauguration of the Thessaloniki metro! We are thrilled today to have with us Dr. Eleni tsakalou, an urban transport expert and consultant who has been closely following this project for decades. Dr. Tsakalou,it’s a pleasure to have you here!
Dr. Tsakalou: Good morning, and thank you for having me! It’s an exciting day for Thessaloniki and its residents.
Editor: Absolutely! After 38 years of anticipation, the Thessaloniki Metro is finally being inaugurated. Can you give our readers an overview of how we got to this moment?
Dr.Tsakalou: Certainly! The journey began back in 1986 when the then-mayor Sotiris Kouvelas first envisioned a subway for the city. After years marked by funding challenges,political changes,and construction halt,there was finally a breakthrough in the early 2000s. The project was re-launched under the auspices of the European Union, which ensured its public funding.
Editor: It’s remarkable how much perseverance this project has required. It seems that various administrations played a crucial role throughout these years.
Dr. Tsakalou: Yes, many key figures contributed, each navigating the unique challenges of their times. As a notable exmaple, Minister Vaso Papandreou reintroduced public funding which was instrumental. And during the government of Karamanlis, significant contracts were signed to finally kick start serious construction.
Editor: What were some of the biggest challenges the project faced during its lengthy advancement?
Dr. Tsakalou: There were numerous challenges, including engineering difficulties, unforeseen archaeological finds that required excavations, and of course, financial obstacles that paused the work multiple times. The project had to adapt to contemporary standards, ensuring it not only meets the immediate needs of Thessaloniki’s residents but also aligns with modern European transport infrastructure.
editor: Speaking of modernity, many describe the Thessaloniki Metro as “one of the moast modern and prominent in Europe”. How does it compare to other European metro systems?
Dr. Tsakalou: The design and technology utilized are indeed quiet advanced. The stations themselves reflect modern architectural trends and aesthetic values,making them not just transit points but also places of culture. It’s expected to enhance connectivity within the city, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the overall air quality by encouraging public transport use.
Editor: With the metro finally operational,what impacts do you envision this will have on Thessaloniki’s public transport landscape?
Dr. Tsakalou: The impact will be significant! We expect to see a major shift towards public transportation, which will alleviate traffic on the roads and encourage more lasting modes of commuting. The metro stations are positioned at crucial points across the city, making it easier for residents and tourists alike to travel seamlessly.
Editor: Exciting times ahead for Thessaloniki! as someone who has observed this project for so long, what is your personal sentiment as we witness this inauguration today?
Dr.Tsakalou: I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and hope. It’s a testament to what can be achieved with dedication and resilience. this metro stands not just as a transport solution, but as a legacy for future generations of Thessalonikans. Today marks a new chapter in our city’s history.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Tsakalou, for sharing your insights.It’s clear that the thessaloniki Metro is more than just a transit system; it’s a transformative project for the city. We appreciate your time today!
Dr. Tsakalou: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure.