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K. Ah. Karamanlis: In 2023, 13 billion euros of infrastructure projects will be ‘running’ in the country

The estimation that the goal of 13 billion euros for infrastructure projects by 2023 will be exceeded, was made by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Costas Karamanlis, in an interview with “Vima tis Kyriakis”.

Mr. Karamanlis referred to the 13 billion euro project program, emphasizing that “it is based on the two fundamental principles: every project that we announce has the maturity of studies and secured funding”. He even noted that “during the SYRIZA government we heard many announcements, many big words, we even saw construction sites set up only for the needs of television footage. But the reality was unfortunately different. “New projects, not even planning. So we started almost from scratch. We prepared for the first time a National Strategic Infrastructure Plan, with projects not of micro-political expediency, but of national necessity”.

Specifically, Mr. Karamanlis pointed out that “in less than three years we have auctioned projects worth 8 billion euros and we have contracted projects of 3.2 billion, which means that they are already being implemented. 2022 is the year that will show even more clearly all The work that we do these years, so that every Greek, from Alexandroupolis to Crete, can see the change with his own eyes, and of course, by the beginning of 2023, we plan the auction of projects over 4 billion. “, as well as the contracting of the large concession projects of VOAK and the Salamina Submarine Link, with a budget of about 2 billion euros. In fact, according to our estimates, we will exceed the goal of 13 billion that we had set by 2023”.

On the issue of price increases in construction materials, due to the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine, Mr. Karamanlis expressed the determination of the government to do everything for the continuation and completion of large and small projects throughout country. “When there is a huge international crisis due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and such inflationary pressures are exerted even in the core of the Eurozone, of course this also concerns the construction industry. We closely monitor every aspect of the issue and are in constant contact with industry representatives. We are determined to do everything for the continuation and completion of the big projects, but also the smaller ones all over Greece. timely and gave a real breath to the projects to continue “said Mr. Karamanlis.

The extensions of Attiki Odos and Line 4

Regarding the expansion of Attiki Odos, he stressed that the project of connecting Kymi Avenue with PATHE was auctioned and will soon be contracted and added that “we are preparing new extensions and final proposals for the expansion to Rafina, as well as for the large project “Connection of the Peripheral Ymittos with Vouliagmeni Avenue and Elliniko. In both projects, we encourage the participation of the private sector in order to proceed faster in their maturation and construction”.

“All the preliminary works of Line 4 are gradually in progress in the 4 Municipalities where the project is being constructed, so that it is completed in 2029” stressed Mr. Karamanlis. He even noted that “a memorandum of cooperation was recently signed with the Municipality of Athens, with which we all undertook specific commitments to do the project with the greatest speed and the least burden for the citizens and the environment. So that Athens not only does not lose a single tree but on the contrary to acquire even more.We are talking about over 1,300 transplants and 2,000 new trees.As for the new extensions, the extension of Line 2 to Ilion with 3 new stations (Palatiani, Ilion and Agios Nikolaos is in a very advanced stage of study Also, extensions such as: On Line 1, underground extensions after Thissio station to Kallithea and Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, but also after the KAT station to Kifissia, N. Erythrae and the junction to Vipos are planned and matured from the Attica Metro. to connect the metro network with the National Road, on Line 2, from Ilion to Acharnes, but also from Elliniko to Glyfada, and on Line 4, along Kifissias Avenue to the northern suburbs and OAKA, from Veikos Grove to St. Petersburg and from Evangelismos to Ymittos “.

Thessaloniki Metro

Responding to the schedule of projects in the Thessaloniki metro, Mr. Karamanlis underlined that “we are running to save the time stolen from the city by the appeals against the project – made by minorities and some exploiting them for political and other purposes – and to deliver the project is completed by the end of 2023 “. Specifically, he stated that “the works of the main line have been completed by 85% and the extension to Kalamaria by 84% in the Civil Engineering projects. The supply of the first 18 trains has been completed, while the tender for the 15 is in the evaluation phase. “And of course, the archeological works have been completed in all the places of the project, except the Venizelos Station, where as it is known, they continue intensively”.

Railway projects worth 4.5 billion euros

The Minister of Infrastructure and Transport referred to the program of railway projects, saying that “Greece is finally acquiring modern railway transport. Now that all the necessary major road projects have taken their course, it is time for the development of the railway network. That is why we announced the largest € 4.5 billion worth of railway projects has ever been completed, and an existing € 1.2 billion network upgrade and electrification program is under way, connecting all major ports with the road and rail network. “.

Regarding the agreement with TRAINOSE and the barren lines, which was recently signed, Mr. Karamanlis stressed that “for the first time: it secures the routes throughout the country with clauses and commits TRAINOSE to very specific investments, so that the Greek State acquires new, modern trains – most of which will be electric and hydrogen trains – to upgrade the existing rolling stock, but also to develop modern information systems, to better inform the passenger public. to increase freight activity “.

Source: Capital

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