Athens Metro Line 4 Tunnels Ready by 2026, Says Minister

Photo source: Transportation Ministry

Greek Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Staikouras confirmed on Thursday that all tunnels for the new 13-kilometer Athens Metro Line 4 will be completed by 2026.

During a visit to the construction site on Veikou Avenue in Galatsi, located at the western end of the new metro line, Staikouras, along with Deputy Minister Nikos Tachiaos, was briefed on the progress of the project.

The Athens Metro Line 4, Section A, currently under construction, will feature 15 new underground stations: Alsos Veikou, Galatsi, Elikonos, Kypseli, Dikastiria, Alexandras, Exarchia, Akadimias, Kolonaki, Evangelismos, Kaisariani, Panepistimioupoli, Ilissia, Zografou, and Goudi.

The ministers were informed that two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) — “Mole Niki” and “Mole Athena” — are making significant progress. “Mole Niki”, which started from Veikou Park (Alsos Veikou), has already completed 520 meters of tunneling, while “Mole Athena”, which began from Katehaki Avenue, has bored through a 2,050-meter section of the tunnel.

Minister Staikouras highlighted that “Mole Niki”, assembled in February, has successfully completed a 520-meter tunnel towards Evangelismos, crossing the Alsos Veikou station and heading towards the Galatsi station. Meanwhile, “Mole Athena” has passed under the Goudi station and is approaching Zografou after an additional 90 meters of tunneling.

“Our goal, which is both achievable and committed to by the construction company, is for the two TBMs to complete the 13 kilometers of tunnels by 2026,” Minister Staikouras said.

Deputy Minister Tachiaos highlighted that the Athens Metro Line 4 is a transformative project for the city, with plans to change Athens’ urban landscape by the end of the decade. “The most significant benefit of public transportation is reducing traffic congestion in the city,” he noted. “In a city like Athens, where roads are filled with cars, this is a critical goal.”

Tachiaos also pointed out that the new stations on Line 4 will be designed differently from existing ones in Athens. The trains will be driverless, similar to those used in the Thessaloniki Metro. He added that the environmental benefits of modern public transportation systems are clear, providing a more sustainable way of managing urban mobility.

According to Elliniko Metro S.A., which is responsible for the development and construction of both the Athens and Thessaloniki metro systems, the new Line 4 is designed to serve densely populated areas of the city, as well as key facilities such as hospitals, educational institutions, court houses, and government buildings.