The decision to appoint independent experts from the Technical Chamber of Greece to inspect cracks in buildings in the Kypseli neighborhood and to conduct a new specialized geotechnical study before tunneling works resume on Metro Line 4 was reached at a meeting held today at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, chaired by Deputy Minister Nikos Tachiaos. The decision came in response to the problems that emerged in the area following the passage of the TBM “NIKI.” According to an announcement by Attiko Metro, the ministerial meeting focused on addressing the reported damage to apartments in Kypseli and ensuring a safe resumption of tunnel boring operations. This was preceded by a meeting between engineers from Attiko Metro S.A. and the contractor consortium with Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, his associates, and representatives of residents from the affected buildings. In a generally constructive atmosphere, Attiko Metro and contractor consortium officials briefed attendees on the procedures being followed at the Kypseli worksite and exchanged views on safety-related matters.
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Cracks in Kypseli apartment buildings: Independent inspections by the Technical Chamber and a new geotechnical study
More specifically, as outlined in the official announcement, the following decisions were made at the Deputy Minister’s meeting:
- Attiko Metro S.A. will request that the Technical Chamber of Greece — the state’s technical advisory body — appoint expert assessors who will visit the buildings and apartments where damage has been reported and issue formal findings on the structural condition of the properties. The cost of this process will not be borne by private residents.
The purpose of this initiative is to obtain a documented, third-party expert opinion in order to reinforce residents’ sense of safety and to confirm the adequacy of the restoration works that the contractor consortium is contractually obligated to carry out — works that are already underway wherever requested. All recorded data will be made available to the assessors if deemed necessary for the completion of their work.
- In order to resume tunnel boring operations in the coming weeks, a study of drilling conditions and the specific geotechnical characteristics of the area is being prepared on behalf of the contractor consortium by specialized experts.
The findings and methodology of the relevant report will be presented publicly before works resume, so that residents and the public can be informed about the additional measures being adopted to ensure the full safety of the structures above ground and their occupants, given the particularly challenging geotechnical environment in which this phase of Metro Line 4 is being carried out.
“Attiko Metro S.A. reaffirms, once again, that its staff and the contractors selected for its studies and construction works possess the full expertise required to deliver urban rail projects even in the most challenging environments. The contractual documentation also adopts the strictest protocols on safety matters and the remediation of any potential damage. At the same time, building public trust in the safety and quality of these works remains a core priority for the company,” the announcement states.
