Line 4 (Athens Metro)

Προς Άλσος Βεΐκου/Γουδή To Alsos Veikou/Goudi
Construction site at the TBM's entrance shaft in Katechaki, March 2023
Overview
Status	Under construction
Locale	Athens
Termini	Alsos Veikou Goudi
Stations	15
Colour on map	Orange
Website	Official website
Service
Type	Rapid transit
System	Athens Metro
Operator(s)	STASY
Depot(s)	Sepolia Katehaki
Rolling stock	Alstom Metropolis [1]
Daily ridership	530,000 (estimated)[ citation needed ]
History
Commenced	22 June 2021 (2021-06-22)
Planned opening	2029 (2029)
Technical
Line length	12.8 km (8.0 mi) [2]
Character	Deep-level
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DC third rail
Route map Legend Planned phase D Petroupoli* Ilion* Pyrgos Vasilissis* Nea Filadelfia* Pefkakia* Nea Ionia* Alsos Veikou** Galatsi** Elikonos** Kypseli** Dikastiria** Alexandras** Exarcheia** Akadimia** [ Panepistimio ] Connection with Kolonaki** Evangelismos** Future branch of Pangrati* Vyronas* New Government Park* Kaisariani** Panepistimioupoli** Ilisia** Zografou** Goudi** Planned phase B/E Katehaki* Faros* Filothei* Sidera* Olympic Stadium* Paradissos* [ Kifisias ] OTE* Marousi* Pefki* Lykovrysi* Key Line 4 (under construction) Line 5 (planned) non-passenger connector (*) Planned   (**) Under construction This diagram: view talk edit

Line 4 of the Athens Metro is a future line that will run from Alsos Veikou to Goudi. Construction of the line started in mid to late-2021 and is scheduled to be completed in 2029 or 2030. ^[3]

Line 4 had been under consideration for many years. Its exact route was changed multiple times. One of the most famous routes was the U-shaped line from Perissos to Katechaki (which are current stations of lines 1 and 3 respectively), including a branch to Vyronas. However, the route from Alsos Veikou to Goudi was chosen, as it has the benefit of being the one passing from the densely populated areas of central Athens, such as Galatsi, Exarheia, Kolonaki, Kaisariani and Zografou. ^[4]

In the distant future, it will be extended further north to Ethniki Odos and to other important suburbs of Athens, like Marousi.

Development history

Plans for Line 4 of the Athens originated from the Metro Development Study for the period between 1996 and 2000, which proposed branch lines for Lines 2 and 3. The Line 2 branch would have run between Panepistimio and Alsos Veikou, with intermediate stations at Exarcheia, Alexandras, Dikastiria, Kypseli, and Galatsi. The Line 3 branch would have run between Panormou and Marousi, with intermediate stations at Faros, Filothei, Sidera, OAKA (Athens Olympic Sports Complex), and Paradissos (for Suburban Railway trains at Kifisias). ^[5]

On 1 December 2005, Georgios Souflias, then the Minister of the Environment, Urban Planning and Public Works, announced that the two branches would combine to form the U-shaped Line 4. Souflias stated that the original branches, if built, would have caused "significant structural and operational weaknesses" for Lines 2 and 3. ^[6] The original proposal for Line 4 is similar to what is currently proposed between Alsos Veikou and Marousi (without the Line 5 branch), but it did not include stations at Elikonos, Panepistimioupoli, and OTE. ^{[6] [7]}

Controversies

There has been significant opposition to a metro station at Exarcheia Square, in a neighborhood known for its radical political and intellectual activism. ^[8] Some local residents have even gone to protest against the building of a metro station at Exarcheia Square, as they claim that the square has historic value to the community. Locals claim that the "station is part of gentrification scheme aimed at altering historically leftwing [and anarchist] area". 16 people were detained as a result of these protests. ^{[9] [10]} Regardless of the protests, construction of the metro station has resumed since the protests ended.

Future extensions

In March 2017, Elliniko Metro (the infrastructure manager of the Athens Metro) split the implementation of Line 4 into five phases, of which Phase A is now under construction: proposals for Phases 3, 4 and 5 first appeared in the Souflias plan in April 2009. ^{[11] [12]}

If Elliniko Metro builds all sections as planned, the line will be about 38.2 km (23.7 mi) long, with 35 stations: ^[2] However, the expected length of the completed project may change due to the ongoing review of the alignment of Phases 3, 4 and 5.

Phase 2

Phase 2 may consist of a 9.6 km (6.0 mi) line from Goudi to Line 1 at Marousi, ^[2] with intermediate stations at Katechaki (for Line 3), Faros, Filothei, Sidera, Olympic Stadium, Paradissos (for Suburban Railway trains at Kifisias), and OTE. ^[13]

Phase 3

Planned Line 5
Legend
towards Alsos Veikou Akadimia [ Panepistimio ] Connection with Kolonaki Evangelismos towards Goudi Pangrati Vyronas New Government Park Towards Kalamaki

Phase 3, as of November 2021 ^[update] , may consist of a branch from Evangelismos to the new Government Park near Dafni, ^[14] with intermediate stations at Pangrati and Vyronas: Elliniko Metro previously planned to build the terminus at Ano Ilioupoli. ^{[2] [15]}

The extension may form part of Line 5, with trains initially terminating at Akadimia. Elliniko Metro also announced the possibility of a further southern extension from Dafni towards Kalamaki. ^[14] A western extension of Line 5 from Akadimia to Koumoundourou Square was also briefly considered in 2014: the alignment of the first phase of Line 4 allows for the construction of such extension. ^{[16] [17]}

Phase 4

Phase 4 may consist of a 7.5 km (4.7 mi) line from Alsos Veikou to Petroupoli, ^[2] with intermediate stations at Plateia Igias in Nea Ionia, Perissos (for Line 1), Nea Filadelfeia, Pyrgos Vasilissis (for Suburban Railway trains), and Ilion (for Line 2). ^[15] However, the September 2022 Athens Metro Development Plan reroutes Line 4 via Pefkakia instead of Perissos, resulting in the relocation of the station for Nea Filadelfeia. ^[13]

Phase 5

Phase 5 may consist of a 4.4 km (2.7 mi) line from Marousi to the A1 motorway (National Road), ^[2] with intermediate stations at Pefki and Lykovrysi. ^[15] However, the September 2022 Athens Metro Development Plan has Line 1 serving the National Road at Varympompi Junction, with Line 4 terminating at Lykovrysi. ^[13]

Stations

The spelling of the station names on this table, in English and Greek, are according to Elliniko Metro. All confirmed stations are underground, and have a layout of two tracks and two side platforms. ^[18]

†	Terminal station
#	Interchange station

Station English	Station Greek	Image	Municipality	Opening [19]	Interchanges and notes	Position
Alsos Veikou †	Άλσος Βεΐκου	—	Galatsi	2029	The station was previously known as "Tralleon" (Greek : Τράλλεων) until November 2005. [6] [20]	38°01′08″N23°45′22″E / 38.019015°N 23.756140°E / 38.019015; 23.756140 (Alsos Veikou)
Galatsi	Γαλάτσι		Galatsi	2029		38°00′46″N23°45′11″E / 38.012680°N 23.753030°E / 38.012680; 23.753030 (Galatsi)
Elikonos	Ελικώνος		Galatsi	2029	Elikonos was a late addition to the first stage of Line 4: the residents of the area petitioned Elliniko Metro to add a second station in Kypseli, because of the long distance between Galatsi and Kypseli. Elliniko Metro struggled to find an appropriate location for the extra station because they feared that the elevation of the platforms would be around 50 metres (160 feet) deep. [21] In 16 December 2017, [22] Elliniko Metro agreed to build Elikonos: according to the April 2018 technical drawing, the station will still be one of the deepest on the Metro, at around 35 metres (115 feet). [23]	38°00′31″N23°44′44″E / 38.008720°N 23.745575°E / 38.008720; 23.745575 (Elikonos)
Kypseli	Κυψέλη		Athens	2029		38°00′09″N23°44′30″E / 38.002505°N 23.741670°E / 38.002505; 23.741670 (Kypseli)
Dikastiria	Δικαστήρια		Athens	2029		37°59′44″N23°44′28″E / 37.995560°N 23.741075°E / 37.995560; 23.741075 (Dikastiria)
Alexandras	Αλεξάνδρας		Athens	2029		37°59′24″N23°44′24″E / 37.990125°N 23.740040°E / 37.990125; 23.740040 (Alexandras)
Exarchia	Εξάρχεια		Athens	2029		37°59′11″N23°44′06″E / 37.986450°N 23.734880°E / 37.986450; 23.734880 (Exarchia)
Akademia  #	Ακαδημία		Athens	2029 [lower-alpha 1]	Interchange with Line 2 at Panepistimio.	37°58′51″N23°44′05″E / 37.980800°N 23.734795°E / 37.980800; 23.734795 (Akademia)
Kolonaki	Κολωνάκι		Athens	2029		37°58′36″N23°44′26″E / 37.976790°N 23.740655°E / 37.976790; 23.740655 (Kolonaki)
Evangelismos  #	Ευαγγελισμός		Athens	2029 [lower-alpha 2]	Interchange with Line 3. As of May 2023 [update] , this is the only station where construction works have not yet started.	37°58′31″N23°44′47″E / 37.975245°N 23.746370°E / 37.975245; 23.746370 (Evangelismos)
Kessariani	Καισαριανή		Kaisariani	2029		37°58′08″N23°45′17″E / 37.969000°N 23.754780°E / 37.969000; 23.754780 (Kessariani)
Panepistimioupoli	Πανεπιστημιούπολη		Kaisariani	2029	Panepistimioupoli was originally proposed in 2014 as "Near East" (Greek : Νήαρ Ήστ), at a different location. [25]	37°58′08″N23°45′54″E / 37.968955°N 23.764900°E / 37.968955; 23.764900 (Panepistimioupoli)
Ilissia	Ιλίσια		Zografou	2029		37°58′23″N23°46′07″E / 37.973025°N 23.768725°E / 37.973025; 23.768725 (Ilissia)
Zografou	Ζωγράφου		Zografou	2029		37°58′38″N23°46′16″E / 37.977120°N 23.771030°E / 37.977120; 23.771030 (Zografou)
Goudi †	Γουδή		Zografou	2029		37°58′55″N23°46′12″E / 37.982040°N 23.769945°E / 37.982040; 23.769945 (Goudi)

Notes

1. The Line 2 station opened on 28 January 2000. ^[24]
2. The Line 3 station opened on 28 January 2000. ^[24]

References

1. Miller, Samuel; Collet, Coralie (5 November 2020). "Alstom consortium selected for first section of Athens Metro Line 4". Alstom. Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
2. "General description of Line 4". Attiko Metro. Athens. 4 October 2022. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
3. "Μετρό-Γραμμή 4: Ξεκινούν τα έργα - Οι 15 σταθμοί από Γαλάτσι έως Γουδί - Έτοιμο σε 8 χρόνια". www.naftemporiki.gr (in Greek). 2021-06-22. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
4. "Νέα Γραμμή 4 Μετρό Αθήνας: Η ταυτότητα του τμήματος ΑΛΣΟΣ ΒΕΪΚΟΥ-ΓΟΥΔΗ και οι θέσεις των σταθμών". www.ypodomes.com. Archived from the original on 2014-10-07.
5. "Development Plan for Metro Lines and Other Railway Lines" (PDF). Attiko Metro (in Greek). Athens. 15 October 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 November 2004. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
6. Souflias, Georgios (1 December 2005). "The New Extensions of the Athens Metro". Attiko Metro. Athens. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
7. "Map (untitled)". Attiko Metro. Athens. 23 December 2005. Archived from the original on 23 December 2005. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
8. Smith, Helena (17 August 2022). "Residents of Athens' historic Exarchia Square resist metro station plan". Manchester. The Guardian. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
9. Smith, Helena (2022-08-17). "Residents of Athens' historic Exarchia Square resist metro station plan". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-05-01.
10. Bureau, Athens (2022-11-06). "Exarcheia: 16 People Detained During Anti-metro Protests" . Retrieved 2023-05-01.
11. "General description of Line 4". Attiko Metro (in Greek). Athens. 3 May 2017. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
12. "New Regulatory Plan for Athens and Attica Prefecture". Attiko Metro. Athens. 13 April 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
13. "Athens Metro Lines Development Plan" (PDF). Attiko Metro. Athens. September 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
14. Karagiannis, Nikos (22 November 2021). "New Metro line 5: from Evangelismos to Southern Suburbs". ypodomes.com (in Greek). Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
15. "Athens Metro Lines Development Plan" (PDF). Attiko Metro. Athens. July 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
16. Anastasaki, Anna (June–August 2014). "Transport in Attica, Horizon 2024: the role of Attiko Metro S.A." (PDF). Newsletter (in Greek) (190). Athens: Hellenic Institute of Transportation Engineers: 11. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
17. "Track Alignment (Horizontal)" (PDF). Elliniko Metro (in Greek). Athens. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
18. "Stations". Attiko Metro. Athens. 21 October 2022. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
19. "Tendering". Attiko Metro. Athens. 6 September 2018. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
20. "Map". Attiko Metro (in Greek). Athens. 28 February 2005. Archived from the original on 28 February 2005. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
21. "Second metro station in Kypseli is official – Near East station changes location". Athens Transport (in Greek). 28 December 2017. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
22. [https://www.eka.org.gr/gr/%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%AC%CF%83%CE%B5%CE%B9%CF%82/21/%CE%B7%CE%BC%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%B4%CE%B1-16-12-2017-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%B9%CF%82-%CE%B4%CE%B7%CE%BC%CF%8C%CF%83%CE%B9%CE%B5%CF%82-%CE%B1%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AD%CF%82-%CF%83%CF%85%CE%B3%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BD%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B5%CF%82?back=1 ΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ 16/12/2017 για τις Δημόσιες Αστικές Συγκοινωνίες ΦΥΛΛΑΔΙΟ ΕΚΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ]
23. "Elikonos - Section A-A" (PDF). Attiko Metro (in Greek and English). Athens. 24 April 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
24. Delezos, Kostas (28 January 2000). "From today, Athens moves to the rhythm of the Metro". Ta Nea (in Greek). Athens: Alter Ego Media. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
25. "14 stations of Metro Line 4 by 2022". Athens Transport (in Greek). 25 September 2014. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2022.

External links

• Athens Metro official website