G. Karagiannis: For the first time, infrastructure projects are being delivered ahead of schedule

The three stations of the Metro extension in Piraeus are expected to open in early autumn, while the contract for the Neapoli – Ag. Nikolaos of BOAK which is proceeding as a public project, as announced by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, responsible for infrastructure, Mr. Giorgos Karagiannis speaking to ANT1.

As Mr. Karagiannis explained, “major infrastructures attract investments, create thousands of jobs, and most importantly, they restore the relationship of trust between the State and the citizens”.
“Better infrastructure projects mean a better quality of life for citizens who feel that the State is by their side,” he pointed out.

Referring to the progress of the major infrastructure projects that are underway, many of which have been pending for years, Mr. Karagiannis noted that “the three stations of the extension of Line 3 to Piraeus will be delivered at the beginning of autumn”.

Consequently, as the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure said, “a large part of the transportation service will change, while the project is completed in full consistency with the schedules and in a very difficult environment worldwide.”

With the operation of the three new stations “Maniatika”, “Piraeus” and “Municipal Theatre”, the distance from the largest port of the country to the largest airport will be covered in 50 minutes.

Line 4 of the Metro, the largest public project currently under construction in the country, is also developing rapidly. “We are progressing according to the timetables and we are already working on most of the stations, while at the end of the year, at the beginning of 2023, the Metropontikes will also start,” announced Mr. Karagiannis, adding that “with Line 4, a large part of Athens’ traffic will be absorbed “.

Thessaloniki Metro: End 2023 the basic line, mid 2024 the extension to Kalamaria

Regarding the Thessaloniki Metro, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure assured that here too the schedules will be respected and the project will be delivered to the city at the end of 2023.

In fact, as he said, “the construction of the station in Venizelou will also begin in August, while all the areas have been freed from the sheet metal and this shows that we are moving forward and are in a very good stage”.

He commented “I don’t know if it’s the shortest anecdote, but it’s certainly an anecdote” and added that “Thessaloniki Metro was the reason for questioning the entire political system”, acknowledging that “thessalonians will believe it when they enter the Metro”.

He went on to emphasize that six months after the delivery of the main line, the extension to Kalamaria will also be put into operation, in mid-2024. The western extensions and the extension to the airport will follow.

However, according to the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, “in Thessaloniki, after many years, a large project plan is being completed and years of backlogs are being closed”. He gave as an example the “orphan kilometer” of Potidaia which has already been delivered as well as the “Thermi – Galatista” which is delivered in the fall.

At the same time, FlyOver is expected to have construction sites set up by the end of the year.

Week of developments for BOAK

An important project that is developing rapidly is the Northern Road Axis of Crete (BOAK) for which, as Mr. Karagiannis characteristically mentioned, this week is a “week of developments”.

He reminded that the environmental conditions were approved for the large part of the concession Chania – Heraklion, 157.5 km. and is moving to the next phase of binding offers, with the goal of having binding offers in early 2023.

As he made it known, the contract for the section Neapoli – Ag. Nikolaos of BOAK which proceeded as a public project.
“Our goal is to have construction sites set up at the end of 2022 in the Neapoli – Agios Nikolaos and Hersonissos – Neapoli sections that proceeded as a PPP,” emphasized the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure.

“We closed the sins of the past”

Mr. Karagiannis made special reference to a series of projects, particularly important, “which remained bogged down for years and now, through methodical work, have been unblocked. After all, it was one of our first goals to close the sins of the past” as he said.
Characteristic examples are the Patron – Pyrgos line which is being built and the Aktio – Amvrakia line which will be delivered in 2023. As he added “a few days ago we had the pleasure of handing over, in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the section of the Amfilochia Bypass, and in fact ahead of schedule “.
“Within three years we have managed to mature studies, have tenders, contractors and construction sites. We worked very methodically and systematically, changed the institutional framework, introduced new ways of tendering. We did things that should have been done years ago” he said explaining the reasons that have “run” so fast large infrastructure projects.

Flood protection projects amounting to 1.5 billion euros

When asked about the fires, he noted that “our goal is to be next to the citizens. As the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, we intervene with crews that carry out the autopsies as soon as the fire is extinguished.”
At the same time, Mr. Karagiannis emphasized that the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport is implementing flood prevention projects worth more than 1.5 billion. euro.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to complete the 4-year term is an act of responsibility and seriousness”

Referring to the current political situation, he characterized it as “an act of responsibility and seriousness by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to complete the 4-year term, especially in this difficult, worldwide environment” adding that “at some point we must return to normality and the political cycles are completed”.

He underlined that “what is important is that the citizens feel that the State is by their side and we have achieved this as Greece currently has a government that has given the most support at the European level and claims solutions in the interest of the country in in the worst energy crisis”.