Athens Metro Line 4 could face further delays as engineers work to resolve problems linked to tunnel construction beneath Kypseli. The tunnel-boring machine has remained idle since May 8, and officials have not set a date for its return to work.
Infrastructure and Transport Minister Christos Dimas said on October 12 that further delays could not be ruled out. The immediate priority is to protect residents and buildings before construction resumes.
Safety Checks Hold Up Construction
The main obstacle involves ground settlement and damage recorded in 20 apartment buildings in Kypseli. Independent technical assessments must establish the causes of the problems and determine whether additional protective measures will allow excavation to continue safely.
The assessments include updated geological data and a review of the construction methods. Engineers are also examining techniques such as compensation grouting, which involves injecting material into the ground to limit or counteract settlement.
British tunnelling expert Lord Robert Mair is expected to visit Athens next week to help assess the technical solutions. His review will examine the causes of the problems, the proposed safeguards and the conditions needed for a safe restart.
Repairs Begin While the Project Remains on Hold
The construction consortium has begun repair work on affected buildings. The Technical Chamber of Greece has said that some repairs can proceed before all final assessments are complete, provided residents and property owners grant access.
The contractor is expected to cover the repair costs, without charging property owners. Some residents may need to leave their apartments temporarily while specific works take place, but officials have said there is no plan for a general evacuation of buildings.
Elliniko Metro continues to list September 3, 2032, as the contractual completion date for the project’s first section. However, the prolonged suspension raises questions about whether that timetable can be maintained.
Officials have stressed that excavation will resume only after independent assessments confirm that the proposed safety measures are adequate. For now, the restart date remains uncertain.
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