Transport problems in Athens

2003-10-14 14:21

Athens - IOC officials are expected to wag the finger at Athens Olympics organisers during an inspection visit next week, complaining of continuing delays that threaten to derail vital transport projects, the Greek press reported on Tuesday.

The urban railway system linking Athens airport to the main Olympic stadium as well as a project to reinstall the city tramway have run into unexpected problems, reports said.

Red tape was said to be delaying some construction work while planners were apparently yet to work out how the urban railway system would get round an existing motorway.

A contract with a local shipbuilder to make the train carriages was heading for the scrapyards and it was unclear if replacement carriages would be compatible with the rails and signal systems.

Greek Transport Minister Christos Verelis denied there were any problems with the tramway.

"The tram goes on as planned... we'll finish laying the tracks by Christmas. Test runs will start by the end of the year," he told local radio.

Games supremo Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki met Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday to convey the IOC's concern over the completion of the main stadium's roof and the urban railway line.

- AFP