The coming days are critical for Kypseli and the Metro project, as the new data on the subsidence of buildings may open the way for the restart of the Tunnel Boring Machine.
On Wednesday, an emergency Municipal Council has been scheduled by the mayor of Athens Haris Doukas, who has invited the owners of the properties that have suffered damage from the operation of the Tunnel Boring Machine.
The discussion is expected to be of particular interest as there will be a first picture from the expert reports of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) regarding the buildings in Kypseli that have suffered damage.
It is recalled that an initial study on the damage has also been completed by the consortium carrying out the project (AVAX - Ghella – Alstom), with the finding supporting that no building has a structural stability problem and that damage was recorded in 130 apartments located in 15 apartment buildings.
It is noted, in fact, that the damage in 10 of these apartments has been repaired, although the process for the remaining apartments has been frozen until the findings of the TEE are also evaluated.
The expert reports of the TEE are progressing rapidly; however, sources tell Euro2day.gr that the data may not be ready by midweek for all properties. The completion of the process, however, is estimated to be a matter of days.
The restart of the Tunnel Boring Machine
At the same time, a study by the consortium has been sent to Elliniko Metro describing how construction works can begin with safety. It is an analysis prepared by specialists inside and outside the country and describes the technical changes required for the restart of the Tunnel Boring Machine under the new data.
Although construction works on Line 4 have been stopped for four months now, specifically since May 8, it is estimated that the loss of time is manageable and can be covered in the course of the project.
The political dimensions
The issue, of course, has taken on political dimensions, and the green light also requires the approval of the political leadership of the Ministry of Transport. In his interview with APE/MPE on Saturday, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Nikos Tachiaos stressed that the TEE is the technical adviser of the State and that it is not possible for there to be any evasion of responsibilities that must be assumed toward the residents.
Regarding the restart of the excavation works, Mr. Tachiaos made it clear that this will happen only when the necessary assurances exist regarding the safety of the buildings.
“The project will start as soon as we have the necessary technical assurances that will ensure that the tunnel boring machine will move without there being any impact on the overlying structures”, he noted. “The resumption of drilling will be preceded by information on the methodology that will be followed from now on”, he added.