“Athena” Tunnel Boring Machine on Metro Line 4 has completed its journey.

Construction of Athens Metro New Line 4, Section Α: “Alsos Veikou – Goudi”

“Athena” Tunnel Boring Machine on Metro Line 4 has completed its journey.

Evangelismos Shaft
Christos Dimas: “Athena” Tunnel Boring Machine on Metro Line 4 has completed its journey.
The excavation and construction of the Metro Line 4 tunnel on the section extending from Katehaki to Evangelismos has been completed by the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), named “Athena”.
Breaking of the wall (the so-called Breakthrough) in the final meters of “Athena” boring “journey” was witnessed today at “Evangelismos TBM Shaft” by the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Christos Dimas, along with the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Nikos Tachiaos, and the Secretary General of Infrastructure, Mr. Dimitris Anagnopoulos.
Upon its arrival at Evangelismos shaft, “Athena” that started from Katehaki shaft, completed the boring activities and the construction of a 5.1-kilometer tunnel, having passed through the areas of Goudi, Zografou, Ilissia, Panepistimoupoli, and Kessariani.
The second twin TBM named “Niki” is boring the 7.1-kilometer-long tunnel in the opposite direction. It started from Alsos Veikou and is currently located just past KYPSELI Station, having already constructed 2,960 meters of tunnel, corresponding to 42% of its total length, with its final destination being Evangelismos shaft.
A total of 65% of the excavation of the tunnel has been completed, its construction is continuing and will be followed by the construction of the stations.
Upon completion of the breakthrough by “Athena” TBM, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Christos Dimas, made the following statements: “Line 4 of the Athens Metro is the greatest public project ever undertaken in Athens, and this day marks a milestone in its construction progress.
The TBM completed a particularly demanding journey of 5.1 kilometers. Starting from Katehaki, “Athena” crossed densely populated areas, namely Goudi, Zografou, Ilissia and Kessariani.
The TBM reached its destination, leaving behind a fully constructed tunnel consisting of approximately 3,400 precast concrete rings.
In other words, whilst boring activities are carried out, the construction of the tunnel is completed, a most impressive technological achievement.
Work is also progressing on the other front, since “Niki”, the second Tunnel Boring Machine, is at 42% of the boring activities. We hope that it will also be able to make the so-called “breakthrough” very soon. Congratulations to all the employees, to ELLINIKO METRO S.A. and to the Contracting Company for this important achievement.
Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Nikos Tachiaos, stressed the following: “This is the most important project currently underway in Athens and one of the most important projects undertaken in the entire country. The TBM breakthrough, among other things, demonstrates the innovations that have been implemented and the fact that, for the first time, there were no problems whatsoever during its passage, is due to the construction methodology and design, which are completely innovative.
It is a project that, when completed, will change Athens. A project funded by the European Union, the NSRF, with the contribution of the Public Investment Program, and a project that the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis had the honor of seeing launched. Today, the same government is privileged to see the first Metro Tunnel Boring Machine carrying out its work.
I would like to extend my gratitude to all the people who contributed to the completion of this project. I was privileged to witness both the entrance and the exit of this specific Tunnel Boring Machine. I know all the people involved in this project one by one. To all these people and to the companies that supported its implementation, our warmest thanks and our sincere gratitude must be expressed”.
The Secretary General of Infrastructure, Mr. Dimitris Anagnopoulos, pointed out the following: “We are standing before a very significant project for the region of Athens and for the country of Greece. We are happy to witness the progress made. The first Tunnel Borring Machine just completed its journey on a basic section of 5.1km. We are happy to announce that the second TBM will very soon complete its own journey and, thus, the total of the tunnel will soon be bored, a precondition for the execution of the remaining works. I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all those you contributed to the implementation of this effort. We are moving forward with dynamism to complete a tremendous project that will change the image of the capital of Greece”.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of ELLINIKO METRO S.A., Mr. Christos Karadimas, underlined that: “I am also very happy to witness today’s landmark breakthrough. This is a significant moment for the Line 4 project, the new branch of the Metro, and a most significant project for the life of the city and its residents.
Being the authority responsible for the supervision of the construction of the project, we commit ourselves that we will continue implementing our intensive efforts towards the continuation of the project. Thank you».
The Managing Director of ELLINIKO METRO S.A., Mr. Christos Fafoutis, made the following statement: “Today’s breakthrough is a significant landmark and an encouraging evolution for the continued progress of the project. I am deeply grateful to the human capital and the associating agencies for the flawless coordination and their dedication. The cooperation and the know-how offered is essential for the continuation of this effort”.
The Managing Director of AVAX, Mr. Konstantinos Mitzalis, representing AVAX-GHELLA-ALSTOM, the Joint Venture responsible for the construction of the project, made the following statement: “This is a very significant day, since we reached a milestone and we completed the construction of the tunnel section Katehaki-Evangelismos without problems, as the Minister pointed out. We are very proud of that. I wish to thank with all my heart all the employees, the companies of the Joint Venture and ELLINIKO METRO S.A.. for our cooperation. A year ago, we were asked when we would complete the project and we answered between the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026, and we made it. With God’s help and, should no surprises arise, since as you may already know the TBM operates at a depth of 32 meters, the second TBM, “Niki”, will also reach the Shaft, marking thus the completion of the tunnel. We are advancing in the best way we can and we wish to thank all the parties involved in the project for their effort. I believe that Line 4 project is well on a completion track”.
The project is co-funded by the European Union in the framework of NSFR 2021-2027.