Three key railway projects that will change the transport map in Northern Greece are on track for implementation by ERGOSE, while the ongoing projects in the Greek network are also progressing rapidly, with which 370 km of lines are being upgraded.
The action plan of ERGOSE in Northern Greece has set as an immediate priority the implementation of a series of projects of national and international scope, totaling 1 billion euros, which will gradually begin to enter the construction phase.
Based on ERGOSE’s planning, these projects will allow Greece to take advantage of the European railway axes, which represent a great economic development opportunity for the country. Northern Greece in particular, as a connecting link with Asia, the Balkans and Europe, but also thanks to its ports, has all the potential to become a transport hub in the coming years.
Railway projects: Projects of pivotal importance for Northern Greece
The first key project concerns the construction of a new line in the Nea Karvali – Toxotes section. Only a few days ago the bids were unsealed and the tender is one step before its completion.
This project with a budget of 192.3 million euros has secured funding from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2021-2027. Infrastructure, superstructure, stations and stops will be built for the new N. Karvali – Toxotes line, approximately 32 km long, as well as a line from N. Karvali to the new cargo port of Kavala, approximately 5.3 km long.
In other words, the very important connection of the new cargo port of Kavala with the railway network of Northern Greece is achieved, with the strategic benefits that this entails.
At the same time, however, this railway connection is considered of key importance for Greece and the wider Balkan region, as:
- Contributes to the completion of the European BBA corridor (Baltic, Black, Aegean Seas)
- It is part of the European geographical umbrella of the “Three Seas Initiative (Baltic-Black-Adriatic)” project.
However, several obstacles had to be overcome in order for ERGOSE to reach its tender. The construction of this new line in the Nea Karvali – Toxotes section was initially included in the wider Thessaloniki – Toxotes project which is being auctioned using the method of competitive dialogue. However, due to difficulties related to the resolution of technical issues in the new section of the line from Thessaloniki to Nea Karvali, the management of ERGOSE, under Christos Palios, concentrated its efforts for the fastest possible implementation of the project in the N. Karvali section – Archers.
The second railway project concerns the upgrading of the Alexandroupolis – Ormenio line, with a total budget of 700 million euros, a project that ERGOSE is tendering through the method of competitive dialogue.
Within 2025, the submission of binding financial offers and the selection of a contractor are planned.
Last July, CEF 2021-2027 funding approval of 219.6 million euros was achieved for part of the project and according to information in the call to be opened by the EU within the next few days, the remaining amount will also be secured.
The strategic value of this project is great, as with its completion, cross-border connections with Bulgaria in Ormenio and Turkey in Pythia will be improved.
At the same time, however, it will enhance freight and passenger traffic to Eastern Europe, connecting the ports of Northern Greece with the port of Burgas on the Black Sea and the ports on the Danube.
In addition, this railway will be able to function as a suburban service line for the areas along the Evros River.
In addition to the cross-border and inter-regional railway projects, ERGOSE accelerates the development of the Western Suburban Railway network of Thessaloniki and the railway connection of the 6th pier of the port of Thessaloniki.
Within 2025 the submission of tenders for the project is planned. With a budget of 53.4 million euros and funding from the NSRF 2021-2027 (operational program TRANSPORTATION), the project includes:
- the construction of a large 1 km long railway bridge replacing the current level connection of the port from Gate 11
- the development of a suburban railway network in Western Thessaloniki with 7 new railway stations.
In addition to the new extensions of the railway network, ERGOSE “runs” a series of projects on the national railway axis, from Patras to Promachona and Idomeni.
These are contracted projects worth 438.5 million euros, with which 370 km of lines are upgraded in a total of 920 km of railway network.
Thessaloniki – Idomeni: The road opens for international passenger routes
The modernization work of the Thessaloniki – Idomeni railway line, one of the most important cross-border connections to the Balkan countries and the rest of Europe, is progressing normally.
With the completion of this important project by ERGOSE, which is estimated at the beginning of 2026, the existing electrified railway line that leads to North Macedonia and from there to Central Europe will be upgraded, once again opening the way for international passenger routes.
At the same time, however, the modernization of the Thessaloniki – Idomeni axis will improve freight transport abroad, contributing to the strengthening of container traffic by rail to the Western Balkans.
This is a line of great importance for the country, since as a cross-border part of the main TEN-T network (Trans-European Transport Network that connects the regions within the EU and ensures multimodal passenger and commercial movements) it can significantly help to transfer a share of transport from road to railway axes.
SS Athens: The renovation of the central station of the capital is completed
The upgrade projects of the Athens Central Railway Station are progressing smoothly. Issues with licensing procedures have been resolved and construction work on the project is progressing normally.
The second phase of the development of the Athens Railway, with a study budget of 42.1 million euros, provides for the readjustment of the grammar, reconstruction of its functional elements (docks, pedestrian crossings, etc.), installation of electrification and parallel construction of the necessary infrastructure (foundations) for the building projects that will be completed in the future.
This is a project that completes the renovation of the central railway station of Athens and the underground connection with the Metro.
Undergrounding in Sepolia: The technical problems are resolved
The undergrounding of the railway corridor in Sepolia is a contract that started in 2018. ERGOSE faced a number of important technical issues related to the terrain of the area combined with the urban fabric. These issues are being resolved and work is progressing. The project concerns the construction of a quadruple railway corridor, with a total length of 2.36 km, of which 1.5 km will be fully underground.
Rail connection to Patras: In 2026 the train will reach Rio
The project of installing electrification systems on the new high-speed railway line, which connects Kiato with Rododafni, is progressing without delay.
The new double rail line is 70.6 kilometers long. The project includes telecommunication systems for passenger information, an announcement system, emergency calls and intercom.
The other project Rododafni – Rio envisages the construction of a double railway line and the installation of modern rail electrification and signaling systems with ETCS. Following the decision taken by ERGOSE to permanently stop the contract in the Psathopyrgos – Rio section due to the impossibility of completing the infrastructure works, the project is expected to restart soon in this section as well. According to the company’s forecasts, by 2026 the railway will have reached Rio.
Christos Paleos: Projects of vital importance that change the landscape of passenger and freight transport in our country
The managing director of ERGOSE Christos Palios, speaking to APE-MBE, pointed out that “with the completion of these projects, we achieve the goal of upgrading and expanding the main railway network with main features, improving safety, increasing the reliability of the railway and the attraction of a larger transport project.
These are projects of vital importance that change the landscape of passenger and freight transport in our country and offer the required development boost both to the economy and to local communities.
ERGOSE’s design evolves based on programming for the new projects.
The tender for the first of the three projects in Northern Greece will be concluded very soon and the interconnection of the cargo port of Kavala with the country’s railway network, which is the largest railway project of the last decade, is entering the construction phase.
Source: RES-MPE
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