As a “imaginative and prescient” for town that grew to become a actuality after virtually twenty years, the supply of the Thessaloniki metro was described by the governor of Central Macedonia and now new European Commissioner for Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas, whereas emphasizing that from his new duties he’ll carefully monitor the progress of the undertaking.
“I do know it’s onerous to consider. Thessaloniki has a Metro as we speak. And certainly, probably the most fashionable Metros on this planet,” stated Mr. Tzitzikostas and, amongst different issues, added:
“This undertaking began with a New Democracy authorities and Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and is being delivered as we speak with a New Democracy authorities and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.”
Mr. Tzitzikostas, addressing the Prime Minister personally, acknowledged:
“I need to congratulate and thanks, not just for the completion of this undertaking, for which you labored personally, but additionally for one more maybe much more important cause. As a result of with the supply of the Metro as we speak, the residents of Thessaloniki’s belief within the state is restored and this undertaking is just the start.”
Mr. Tzitzikostas expressed his emotion and satisfaction as a result of a undertaking that residents had been ready for eighteen years was delivered as we speak within the metropolis.
“I’m actually moved as we speak. Primarily, my final act as governor and my first act as European Commissioner accountable for Transport is the inauguration of the Metro in my metropolis, Thessaloniki. A undertaking that may be a milestone for all of Greece. As a result of certainly the Thessaloniki Metro from the start was one thing greater than a transport undertaking, it was a imaginative and prescient for our place, a imaginative and prescient to rework our metropolis to enhance the standard of lifetime of our fellow residents. To carry Thessaloniki nearer to the long run it deserves.”
Mr. Tzitzikostas referred to the difficulties confronted for nearly twenty years by residents, shopkeepers, and guests, as a result of building of the Metro, typically turning the development imaginative and prescient right into a “nightmare”. Nevertheless, he identified that the metro will now be built-in into the day by day lifetime of residents, with a number of advantages for his or her transportation and town, and added:
“The Metro is a actuality and turns into an integral a part of the day by day life and lifetime of our metropolis, which now has a contemporary, quick, sustainable technique of transport that can contribute to bettering the standard of life for all, decreasing visitors congestion, decreasing the environmental footprint, regenerating business areas, offering an excellent higher tourism expertise for our guests, and highlighting our tradition…”
“We’re speaking about the one Metro-museum in Europe, and naturally, the road we inaugurate as we speak is just the start. In 2025 the Kalamaria line will likely be related, and the method for the metro’s enlargement to western Thessaloniki will shortly proceed,” stated Mr. Tzitzikostas and continued:
“I need to guarantee my fellow residents that the enlargement of the metro to western Thessaloniki is and can stay my precedence. I’ll carefully monitor the progress of the undertaking from my new duties.”
“I’m actually completely satisfied, but additionally moved as a result of this undertaking, past its significance for our place, connects two private milestones for me, Central Macedonia and the European Fee,” continued Mr. Tzitzikostas.
He emphasised that the Area of Central Macedonia “was essentially the most steady and devoted associate of the undertaking” by funding with assets, “urgent and claiming” and on the identical time added: “Thessaloniki Metro with out the European Union merely wouldn’t exist, as a result of the assets for developing this undertaking are primarily from Northern Europe.”
Mr. Tzitzikostas thanked those that labored for the completion of this undertaking and emphasised that the Metro, which “was constructed by Greek engineers, is just not solely a victory for Thessaloniki, however it’s a victory for all of Greece, which has confirmed particularly lately that with decisive management, it will possibly successfully overcome the obstacles.”
He particularly thanked the Minister of Tradition, Lina Mendoni, expressing his appreciation for her contribution to the undertaking, as she “carried out the precise answer for the Venizelou station,” in addition to the present and former management of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.
Learn additionally:
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Thessaloniki Metro and its operation started
The Historical past of the Thessaloniki Metro in photographs (video)
