The EU has shown its support for a new rail line between Athens and Thessaloniki, pledging one million euros to complete initial studies.
The studies will focus on two stretches of 2.3 km and 3 km on the rail section linking Athens main railway station to the town of Acharnes.
The project, which is set to be completed by the end of 2014, concerns alignment, hydraulic and structural studies whose completion will allow the construction phase to begin.
This phase will comprise the construction of a first 2.3 km underground stretch leaving Athens main rail station, as well as a new 3 km double-track stretch bypassing the centre of Aharnes municipality.
