Peristeris: There are proposals to enter Attiki Odos and BOAK – What did he say about Elliniko, Egnatia and payment delays

24.04.2024 – 07.43

The need to find a solution to the traffic problem that will be caused when the investment in Elliniko is operational was pointed out by the head of the GEK TERNA Group, Giorgos Peristeris, in a conversation with journalists yesterday on the sidelines of the opening of the E65.

As he noted, to date no study has seen the light of day with the result that when the space is operational it will function as an “accordion” transmitting movement with the domino method. “We don’t see that anyone has dealt with this issue yet,” he said characteristically.

The investment in Elliniko is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the new hub of Athens. The lack of a traffic study and the absence of a strategy on how to deal with the integration of Hellenic in transportation within the city has created a problem.

At the same time, Mr. Peristeris, in a question put to him, noted that with regard to the Standard Proposals there has been no development and there is no such thing on the horizon as there has been no movement in the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

Let’s remember that last year around this time, a Standard Proposal was submitted for the extensions of the Attica Road, which includes the extensions to Rafina, Lavrio and the famous Ilioupoli Tunnel.

Especially for the last extension, it is considered that it could contribute drastically to the smooth operation of Hellinikon, since it includes an urban tunnel of about 3 kilometers that connects the Western Peripheral of Ymitto with Vouliagmenis Avenue. The same project also includes the leveling of the Avenue up to the height of Hellinikon.

Theoretically, this could act as a catalyst for access to and from Elliniko, both from the airport and in connecting the north-south suburbs.

Delays in payments

Major delays in the payment process from the State also noted that the head of GEK TERNA, Giorgos Peristeris, was present on the sidelines of yesterday’s event for E65. As he said, the Group puts its back on the projects in order to finish them on time, however the delays in payments in some cases reach up to a year.

According to information, the amounts due from the State at their peak may even reach 400 million euros with a result. Of course, the large backlog of GEK TERNA is logical to include large demands from the public purse.

New conditions are created by the new contracts of GEK TERNA on Attiki Odos, Egnatia Odos and BOAK. As mentioned by the head of GEK TERNA, there have been proposals to enter both BOAK and Attiki Odos, but for now no such move has been considered. However, he left the possibility open since he was not categorically negative.

At the moment the Group itself has not decided what it will do after collecting all these concessions as all scenarios remain open. However, as Mr. Peristeris said, there is already a vehicle within the Group, “GEK TERNA Concessions”. However, in the last General Assembly, the case of a spin off was not ruled out either.

For the completion of the procedures in the 3 contracts, Mr. Peristeris noted that regarding BOAK there are many appeals with the result that there is the possibility of delaying the signing of the concession project Chania-Hersonissos.

Regarding Egnatia Odos, he noted that progress is at the discretion of the public. Let us remind here that there are still outstanding issues that need to be resolved such as the certification of tunnels, toll stations, etc.

For Attiki Odos, it was reported that there is readiness from the Group to take over the axis next October, whether this will be done with the expiration of the existing concession contract next October, it still cannot be determined.

This depends on the Greek State as the asset must first be transferred to it and then delivered to GEK TERNA.