2024-05-05 20:08:18
The Minister of Infrastructure & Transport Christos Staikouras set as a matter of immediate priority the definitive restoration of the railway network from the extensive damage suffered by “Daniel”, with specifications for a significant increase in its resilience.
As the Minister stated, during the briefing of the competent committee of the Parliament, the works that are required and have been launched concern the final restoration with infrastructure and superstructure works of the main axis Athens – Thessaloniki, the vertical axes of Larissa – Volos and Palaiofarsalo – Kalambaka, as well as of the Pelion line.
These works also include the signaling and remote control of the main axis, given that the deliverable of contract 717 is not operational due to the disasters.
The cost of these works amounts to 463 million euros, including VAT.
With the completion of the above works, the railway network of Central Greece will comply with the interoperability requirements of the European Railway Network. In addition, construction will be governed by rules and practices that will ensure the resilience of the infrastructure and superstructure to future extreme weather events.
Co-financed by the EU
At the same time, actions continue to ensure co-financing of the projects from European Union funds.
Indicative:
Funding has been approved for the projects of the new double railway line on the Rododafni – Rio section.
The studies of the Toxotes – Nea Karvali section for the interconnection of the railway network with the port in question are being completed.
The studies for the construction of a double railway axis bridge with the aim of connecting the 6th Pier and the port of Thessaloniki with the railway network are being completed.
In January 2024, a request for funding from the “Connecting Europe – 2” program (CEF 2, 2021 – 2027) was submitted.
According to Mr. Staikouras, the request concerns:
1st. The upgrade of the railway line in the section Alexandroupolis – Ormenio, with signaling – remote control and electrification.
2nd The upgrade and downgrade of the signaling – remote control of the Ano Liosia – Kiato section, as well as the installation of ETCS, Level 1, Base line 3, which is the highest upgrade for the specific level.
3rd. The renovation and upgrading of the infrastructure of the Acharnes – Oinoi section, 50 km long, as well as the construction of 2 level crossings in the area of Agios Stefanos Attica and in Aliarto.
4th The upgrading of the infrastructure on the Thessaloniki-Promahonas line and the installation of electrification.
5th The completion of the new double railway line in the Rio – Patras section, which will connect the port of Patras with the new high-speed railway line.
The aim of the specific proposals, which are in the evaluation stage taking into account the available European resources, are:
1st. The development of modern interoperable connections with the 2 trans-European railway axes, namely:
- of the Western Balkans towards Central Europe, from the cross-border station of Idomeni,
- of this “Three Seas” through Promahon and Ormenio.
2nd The development of connections to central ports, freight centers and industrial areas, to strengthen freight traffic and establish Greece as a main transit center on the China-India-Europe axis.
3rd. The development of suburban connections to facilitate passenger traffic and reduce the use of cars, with positive effects on the environment and the economy.
Meanwhile in emergency funding of Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE S.A.) with an amount of 25 million euros for the years 2024 and 2025 and for the purpose of the radical renewal and modernization of the Automatic Level Crossing Systems (ASID), the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is proceeding with an amendment submitted to a bill of the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
With this regulation, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, additional funding is ensured, namely 7 million euros for 2024 and 18 million euros for 2025, which is intended to be allocated specifically for upgrading the level crossing equipment .
The additional funding provides the possibility for OSE to proceed with a radical renewal and modernization of the Automatic Level Crossing Systems, mainly in Northern Greece, where the biggest issues are found, but not only.
It is recalled that from July 2023 the Organization has signed for the first time in its history a Contract with the Greek State, based on which its annual funding increased from 45 million euros to 75 million euros, within a specific framework of accountability and control of deeds and achievement of objectives.
Source: RES-MPE