First draft program of CONT mission to Greece (24-25 September 2015) Wednesday 23 September Arrival of CONT Members to Thessaloniki Thursday 24 September 8:00 Departure from hotel 8:15 Inspection of the project "metro of Thessaloniki" 10:00 Departure from Thessaloniki by bus 12:30 Inspection of the rehabilitation of Karla Lake project + working lunch 16:00 Departure to Xiniada by bus 18:00 Inspection of the project "Central Greece (E65) motorway - part Xiniada-Trikala" 19:30 Departure to Lamia 20:00 Transfer to hotel in Lamia Night in Lamia Friday 25 September 8:00 Departure from hotel 8:30 Inspection of the project "completion of the new double high-speed railway line Tithorea-Lianokladi-Domokos" in Lianokladi 10:00 Departure from Lianokladi by bus 12:30 Arrival in Athens + working lunch 14:00 Meetings with Greek authorities and inspection of the projects: "Greek cadastre and National Register" and "e-ticket system in Attica" 17:30 Press conference 18:30 End of official program EN ANNEX I Physical object of the major project Infrastructure investment 1. Title of project: Thessaloniki Metro Main Line (Project 1) - Preparatory works and initial tunnel construction works 2. Body responsible for the implementation 2.1. Name: ATTIKO METRO S.A. 2.2. Address: L. Mesogeion 191-193, 115 25 Athens 3. Project description 3.1. General description of the physical object of the project (a) This is a "bridge" project which has been initiated during the programming period 2000-2006 concerning the completion of the preparatory works required for the construction of the Thessaloniki Metro Main Line and also the initial part of tunnel construction. The operation of the Thessaloniki Metro Main Line aims at the upgrade of the transport infrastructure of the city of Thessaloniki, the gradual reduction of city traffic congestion through new passenger service and increased use of public transport. At reducing primary and secondary pollutants in the atmosphere, improving the quality of life in Thessaloniki and indirectly enhancing road safety. Main beneficiaries of the infrastructure are the residents and visitors of the city of Thessaloniki. The completion and operation of the Main Line is estimated to serve approximately 22 500 new journeys daily during rush hour. (b) This project is part of a wider project aimed at constructing a metro system in the city of Thessaloniki, including both the construction of the Main Line and its east extension to Kalamaria. The Main Line of the Thessaloniki Metro is divided in two projects: - Project 1 "Thessaloniki Metro Main Line - Preparatory works and initial tunnel construction" which is a "bridge" project between the programming periods 2000-2006 and 2007-2013. - Project 2 "Thessaloniki Metro Main Line" which is a project "phase" between the programming periods 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, completing the Thessaloniki Metro Main Line related works. 1 Both projects are independent from a technical and financial standpoint based on a demarcation methodology and analysis of their financial and physical object. 3.2. Technical description of the infrastructure investment (a) The Thessaloniki Metro Main Line (Project 1) comprises the completion of the following works: - Project studies, including the relevant technical consultants and experts' studies (apart from the case studies which are an obligation of the contractor and part of construction/installation works). - Management and supervision of the works. - Ιnstallation of construction sites, protective structures prior to excavations, traffic arrangements and public utility networks relocation. - Archaeological excavations and land expropriations. - Construction of initial tunnelling from the New Railway Station up to the Syntrivani junction (track crossing). (b) This project contributes in the indicators which will be achieved with the completion of the Main Line. The indicative key indicators to be used are the following: - Additional population with access to fixed rail Means of Transport (Metro): 247 000 new passenger journeys daily. - Reduction in journey time from New Railway Station to Α. Papanastasiou from 50 to 17 minutes. - Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: 5 thousand tons annualy. - Metro Line length: 9,6 km. - Metro Stations: 13. (c) The ownership, management, operation and maintenance of the infrastructure are under the State Company Attiko Metro S.A. 2 European Commission Press release - 20 November 2014 Almost EUR 285 million of EU regional funds for the new Thessaloniki metro The European Commission has approved three major investments of €284.7 million from the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF) concerning the new Thessaloniki metro in the Greek Central Macedonia. Thessaloniki is a city with a high population density which presents intense traffic congestion and significant air pollution. The three projects aim to support the preparatory and construction works of the 9.6 km long Main Line with 13 metro stations and the preparatory works of its 4.8 km long East Extension to Kalamaria with 5 additional metro stations Greece's second biggest city will have a driverless metro system, improving attractiveness and usage of public transport and traffic and environmental conditions in the Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area and the suburbs. Moreover, the projects are expected to create 520 jobs during their implementation and 540 jobs once the metro is operational. Commenting on the decision, Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu said “These projects are good examples of how EU regional funds can help get Greece back on the path of recovery in a sustainable manner. The metro in Thessaloniki will contribute to improving the mobility of the citizens of the second biggest Greek city and their quality of life, ensuring safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly travel conditions and making the region even more attractive for investors. We trust that the Greek authorities will now put all their efforts to complete timely these important projects”. The first investment "Thessaloniki Metro – Basic Main Line (Project 1): Preparatory works and initial parts of tunnels construction" goes along with the second investment "Thessaloniki Metro Main Line (Project 2) - Construction works - Phase A". They foresee the completion of all the preparatory works and the initial construction works in 8 platform stations of the Thessaloniki Metro Main Line, two shafts and tunnels excavation. The ERDF will finance €257.7 million out of a total of €395.9 million The third investment, "Thessaloniki Metro Extension to Kalamaria - Preparatory works – Phase A" (Project 3), concerns the completion of all the preparatory works for the construction of the 4.8 km long east extension of the Thessaloniki metro to Kalamaria with 5 additional metro stations. It aims at improving mobility and reducing cost for passengers travelling between the Thessaloniki city centre and the east suburbs. The ERDF will finance €27 million out of a total of €41.5 million. The three investments come through the EU Regional Policy programme "Macedonia Thrace" under the priority axis "Sustainable Development and Improvement of the Quality of Life". The ERDF will finance €284.7.8 million out of a total of €437 million. Background: These projects are major projects, i.e. a project whose total investment (VAT included) is above €50m and thus subject to a specific decision by the European Commission, whereas projects of a lower value are approved at national or regional levels. The co-financing decision for these projects falls under the programming period 2007-2013. Greece has been allocated approximately €20.42 billion in total cohesion policy funding from 2007-2013 and €15.35 billion for 2014-2020. Lake Karla welcomes new life Faced with a drying lake, this project aims to bring Lake Karla back to life by restoring the ecological balance in the area, at the same time providing better drinking resources for residents and a boost for local tourism. Sourcing water from a nearby river, hydrology works, building a museum and holding information days feature among the diverse tasks to be undertaken in the project. The rising tide of environmental protection The project looks to develop a large wetland area by constructing reservoirs and water collection systems and carrying out excavation work, with 22.79 km of levies to be worked on. Other aspects of the project include cleaning leachate, bringing water into Lake Karla via the Pinios River, at a maximum rate of 14 m3/sec, undertaking works to protect the area against floods, notably on the plains, and carrying out mountain hydrology work with the aim of reducing debris over a surface area of 445 km2. Water culture Infrastructure and eco-tourism works carried out under the project will include building a natural history museum and information centre to showcase the region’s natural and cultural past, with 5 000 visitors expected per year. The project will also complete a study previously started in the 2000-06 period on managing the local water and soil ecosystem, together with studies into local archaeology in relation to the project works. In a bid to raise awareness about this natural wonderland, information days, conventions, exhibitions and marketing campaigns will also be organised. Once completed, a total of 3 800 ha will have been improved, 110 ha of cultural heritage developed and 190 jobs created during the development phase, another 20 during the operational phase. The key outcomes will be the sustainable development of the water