INSTALLATION work by the Cyprus Electricity Authority (EAC) on Nicosia’s Santa Rosa Avenue should end soon, to the relief of frustrated residents and motorists.
Santa Rosa, which has been in a state of chaos since July 8 2002, should be in normal operation by September 3, according to EAC spokesman Tassos Roussos.
The work is part of a £2 million project to install underground cables linking two Nicosia substations together.
“This scheme is absolutely vital. The two substations are being interconnected so that either substation can supply electricity in the case that the other fails,” he explained.
“This project has long been overdue, as it was delayed by various factors for a number of years.
“Had the scheme been completed earlier, the blackout Nicosia experienced two years ago could have been avoided, ” he added.
Roussos also expressed his regret that the work had disrupted the use of Santa Rosa, a main artery into Nicosia.
“Of course we are aware of the inconvenience caused by the partial closure of Santa Rosa, but this is often the case with projects designed for public benefit.
“We did our best to undertake the bulk of the work during the August holiday period, when most people were away.”
The bad news is that once Santa Rosa is re-opened, disruption to other roads in the area will follow.
“The project will continue towards Pallouriotissa. Dighenis Akritas will be the next section to be done,” Roussos confirmed.
However, Roussos was anxious to emphasise that the inconvenience caused by the installations was a necessary if temporary evil, and one that would have a positive impact overall.
“As a Cypriot citizen, I am very glad the work is finally under way. It can only benefit Nicosia’s residents in the long-term.”
The completion date for the whole project is set for the end of February 2003.
Users of Byron Avenue, meanwhile, will have to wait rather longer for a return to normality.
A Municipality source yesterday confirmed the road works there would be ongoing for the foreseeable future.
“Chapo, the contractors, are under a one year contract. We therefore expect the completion of the whole project next July.
“The first section of Byron Avenue should be open in a month’s time. The rest of the project will be completed in sections, each lasting about three months,” he added.
The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.
