Athens Metro Line 4: Project Profile

The Athens Metro Line 4 project is a landmark urban rail development designed to significantly expand the Greek capital’s transport network, connecting dense residential areas and key public institutions. This profile details the technical specifications, strategic objectives, and key contractors involved in delivering this critical infrastructure, which utilizes advanced tunnelling, driverless train control, and sustainable design principles to address long-term urban mobility challenges.

Technical Specifications

Line 4 represents a significant technological leap for the Athens Metro, incorporating Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) for fully driverless operations. The project’s civil engineering works are particularly complex, requiring the use of multiple Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) to navigate the city’s challenging geological conditions and dense archaeological landscape. The primary construction consortium for Section A comprises J&P Avax, Ghella, and Alstom, tasked with excavation, station construction, and systems integration.

Signalling and train control will be managed by Alstom’s Urbalis 400 Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system. This advanced solution enables minimal headways between trains, maximizing line capacity and operational efficiency. The rolling stock consists of 20 new-generation, 4-car Alstom Metropolis trains, designed for high passenger flow and equipped with modern amenities. Power is supplied via a third-rail system, supported by a network of advanced traction power substations provided by Siemens to ensure reliable and consistent energy delivery across the line.

Strategic Importance & Key Takeaways

• Enhanced Urban Connectivity: Line 4 will establish a vital new transport axis, connecting populous neighbourhoods like Galatsi and Kypseli with the city centre, university campuses, and major hospitals, serving an estimated 340,000 passengers daily.
• Decongestion and Sustainability: By providing a reliable alternative to private vehicles, the project is projected to remove over 50,000 cars from Athens’ roads daily, significantly reducing traffic congestion, CO2 emissions, and air pollution.
• Technological Modernisation: The implementation of GoA4 driverless technology and state-of-the-art CBTC signalling positions the Athens Metro among the most advanced urban rail systems in Europe, setting a new benchmark for future network expansions.

Project FAQ

When will Athens Metro Line 4 open?

The first section of Athens Metro Line 4, running from Alsos Veikou to Goudi, is currently under construction. While official timelines are subject to construction progress, initial operations are projected to commence between 2029 and 2030.

Who is building the new Athens Metro line?

The primary construction and systems contract for Line 4 was awarded to a consortium of leading infrastructure companies. The members include AVAX (representing the J&P Avax and Ghella partnership) for civil engineering and tunnelling, and Alstom, which is responsible for the rolling stock, CBTC signalling, and overall systems integration.