The inauguration of the underground section of Patriarchos Konstantinou Street in the municipality of N. Philadelphia - N. Chalkidona, an intervention particularly important and accompanying the main project, the AEK stadium, took place at noon and the road was handed over to traffic by the Region of Attica.
«We are delivering a project that will primarily serve the iconic AEK Athens stadium. It is a project of supra-regional character, with a total budget of 17.7 million euros, which was put out to tender in 2019 by the previous Regional Administration and was completed sooner than planned, so that we can coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Asia Minor Catastrophe», stressed George Patoulis in his address, addressing both the President of AEK FC, D. Melissanidis, and the other attendees of the inauguration.
The consecration was followed by greetings from the Minister of Interior, Makis Voridis, the Minister of Development and Investment, Adonis Georgiadis, the Mayor of N. Philadelphia - N. Chalkidona, Yannis Vouros and the Regional Governor of Attica, Giorgos Patoulis. On behalf of the contractor Technical Company INTRAKAT, greeted the Vice President and Managing Director, Alexandros Exarchou. Also in attendance were the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Kostis Hatzidakis, the Deputy Minister of Health Zoe Rapti, the members of the New Democracy Party George Koumoutsakos and Dimitris Kairidis, the MP of PA.SYK - Kin.AL. Nadia Giannakopoulou, representatives of the Local Government and institutions, while the consecration was performed by the Metropolitan of Nea Ionia, Filadelfia, Heraklion and Chalkidonos Gabriel.
«Companion road project of key importance and just as important as the main, for the developmental, harmonious operation of the city», characterized the Minister of Interior M. Voridis the undergrounding of this road, which facilitates traffic and the safe passage of vehicles in the area, but also the operation of the new AEK stadium. He stressed the importance of the undergrounding for the operation of the stadium in connection with the city, «without causing traffic load unmanageable», specifying that next to the main projects, often, equally important are the accompanying projects.
Minister Georgiades, referring to the launch of the project by the previous government, regional and municipal authorities, noted that this indicates the continuity of the state and its policies, and that he personally honours all those who contributed to our fellow citizens enjoying «this great project». He noted that all the rest of the development of the project, such as adherence to the schedule, uninterrupted funding and the completion of procedures that «often stuck», was completed with the decisive intervention of the regional governor George Patoulis. He also recalled the contribution of the Ministry of Development «from the very first days of our term of office», to overcome the «bureaucratic red tape» and to get the remaining signatures in order not only to finance but also to complete the project.
The regional governor G. Patoulis expressed his satisfaction that during his term of office a long-standing request of the residents of the wider region became a reality, stressing: «The undergrounding will decongest a quite congested area, while it will also facilitate the smooth operation of the historical stadium ¨Agia Sofia¨ - another project implemented with the funding of the Attica Region, which will give AEK fans the joy of seeing their team return to its historic home. It goes without saying that the completion of this project will ensure easier access to the stadium, create more open spaces and parking spaces, while at the same time serving the needs of the stadium's catering needs, without causing a burden on traffic flow. In front of us we have a modern infrastructure, with environmentally friendly materials, designed to serve the needs of drivers and pedestrians, enhancing safety and with full respect for the aesthetic and functional upgrading of the surrounding area».
The regional governor, referring to the construction of the wider project, informed that it also includes the «redevelopment of the surrounding area, with the formation of soft traffic zones for unhindered access to service and emergency vehicles, the creation of spacious pavements with cobblestones and flower beds, as well as modern lighting with automated regulation, depending on the brightness of the environment, which ensures significant energy savings».
He described the project as the most emblematic of the region, adding: «We are proud, because we have financed and are financing a total of more than 35 million euros of projects, relating to the construction and equipment of the stadium, accompanying projects, (undergrounding of Patriarch Conanos, pedestrianisation, redevelopment, etc.). Our contribution to this project is neither fragmentary nor accidental. On the contrary, it is part of our programmatic plan to make Attica a champion region, with strong sports clubs, modern and safe sports infrastructure and with the young generation flooding these infrastructures».
In conclusion, Mr Patoulis referred to the interventions of the Region in the municipality of Philadelphia - N. Chalkidona, saying that they have been implemented or are in the process of implementation projects with a total budget of about 40 million. EUR 40 million, including the supply of submersible waste storage systems, the reconstruction of sports facilities, the configuration of sidewalks and open spaces, the renovation of the Traffic Education Park, the creation of an Environmental Information Centre and the repair of the bridge in Vryoulon Street on the Athens - Lamia National Road. In addition, he stressed that important projects and actions of more than 13 million euros are being funded through the NSRF.
