“Niki,” the second tunnel boring machine (TBM) of AVAX working alongside its twin “Athena” on Line 4 – the country’s largest public project – has completed excavation under Galatsi, creating a 1,400-meter tunnel, and is now advancing toward “Elikonos” station. The impressive Veikos Shaft was revealed for the first time to journalists, television crews, and photographers, who were given a guided tour 35 meters underground through the Metro tunnel and the “Niki” TBM. “Niki” will connect Galatsi underground with Evangelismos, where by the end of 2026 it will meet AVAX’s second advanced-technology TBM, completing construction of the 12.8 km tunnel for Line 4 “Alsos Veikou – Goudi” of the Athens Metro.
It should be noted that the other TBM, “Athena,” follows the opposite route from “Niki.” Starting from Katehaki Shaft, it has constructed 3.1 km of tunnel to date (60% of its route), passing stations “Goudi,” “Zografou,” and “Ilisia,” with “Panepistimiopolis” and “Kaisariani” to follow. In total, 4.5 km of tunnel has been constructed so far out of the 12.8 km total for Line 4.
AVAX: 1.4km tunnel under Galatsi complete – TBM “Niki” heads to Kypseli
AVAX’s two next-generation TBMs are not limited to excavation. They also construct the tunnel, installing concrete rings measuring 1.5 meters in diameter at every 1.5 meters of progress, with each ring consisting of 7 segments. They are also equipped with the SSP-E system that can predict geological changes up to 40 meters ahead, with variations continuously monitored from the TBM’s control cabin. Common rock formations include Athenian Schist, Limestone, and Sandstone.
Veikos Shaft by the numbers:
• 120 workers – three shifts
• Zero serious accidents
• 110 meters TBM length – Weight 1,500 tons
• 10 to 15 meters of tunnel constructed daily (depending on subsoil characteristics)
• excavation depth 32 – 35 meters
• removal of 1,500 – 2,000 cubic meters of soil daily
AVAX – GHELLA – ALSTOM consortium for Metro Line 4 construction
With a total length of 12.8 kilometers and 15 modern stations, Athens Metro Line 4, being constructed by the AVAX – GHELLA – ALSTOM consortium, will connect Athens neighborhoods including Kypseli, Exarchia, and Kolonaki, significantly facilitating transportation. For example, travel time from “Alsos Veikou” to “Dikastiria” on Evelpidon Street will be just 5 minutes, and to “Panepistimiopolis” in Zografou in 14 minutes. Completion of Line 4 tunnel construction is expected by 2026, confirming AVAX Group’s reliability, high expertise, and experience in constructing complex infrastructure projects.
