Thessaloniki Metro overruns continue to mount

Specifically, compensation totaling €90.58 million was approved for three arbitration cases concerning delays in the construction of the Metro’s main line, which were attributed to the State. This payment concerns the joint venture AKTOR – Webuild – Hitachi Rail, which had filed for arbitration seeking reimbursement due to the project’s timeline overruns.

In addition, an extra €10.76 million in compensation was approved for the Metro extension toward Kalamaria, also based on arbitration decisions. These decisions have been incorporated into the 2026–2030 Sectoral Development Program, confirming that the State is fulfilling obligations arising from contractual and judicial processes.

In total, the new approvals exceed €101 million, adding to a substantial amount of compensation already paid in previous years. By the end of 2025 alone, the State had disbursed approximately €164.81 million for ten arbitration cases, highlighting the significant financial impact of project delays.

These delays have been caused by multiple factors, including technical challenges, design changes, archaeological discoveries, and administrative issues. As a result, the total cost of the project has increased considerably, now exceeding €3 billion for the main line and its extensions.

A critical milestone for project completion is the extension to Kalamaria. After years of delay, the new line, which will include five additional stations, is expected to be completed by the summer.

The greatest technical challenge remains the full integration of the new line into the existing network. As it is a fully automated, driverless system, precise synchronization of signaling, telecommunications, and automation systems is required to ensure unified and safe operation.

The new line, with its five additional stations, is expected to serve approximately 85,000 passengers daily and significantly reduce traffic congestion in the city center. Despite delays and repeated postponements, the goal remains to complete and put the line into operation within the coming months, likely by summer.