The Athens tram route will be extended to Voula in southern Athens by September, at least 10 months later than originally planned, officials said yesterday.

The extension of the tram route, which presently ends in Glyfada, was originally scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. However, archaeological finds in the path of the soon-to-be-laid lines slowed down its extension.

Sophocles Psilianos, the managing director of Tram SA, the company that operates the tram, said that improved technology will help to cut the time needed to build the 750-meter extension and provide less of an obstacle to traffic in the area.

“(The construction) involves technology that is being used systematically abroad and this gives a significant time advantage,” said Psilianos.

The cost of adopting the newer technology will be 20 percent higher than using previous construction methods but will take only seven days for installation rather than one month.