THE FINAL phase of an innovative plan to renovate Nicosia’s infrastructure by 2020 envisages a pedestrianised Makarios Avenue shopping area, with lanes only for frequent bus routes and cyclists,
The plan hops to tackle mounting issues with road congestion, as estimates indicate the city’s population is rising by 1.5 per cent per year, and traffic would have risen by 40 per cent in the next decade if nothing is done.
The Steering Committee – Town planning departments, public works and municipalities – has approved the ‘Integrated Mobility Master Plan for Nicosia’ proposed by the Programme of Enhancement of Public Transport, under Michalis Lambrinou.
The plan will be carried out in three phases. This is a snapshot of the changes that are set to occur across Nicosia, with the plan entailing several major proposals. These include: the adoption of one-way systems on major roads, the pedestrianisation of some roads, the construction of new roads, the improvement of public transport, the completion of bicycling routes and the creation of an underground tunnel.
“There are a number of advantages to creation of one-way systems”, explained Lambrinou, “The flow of traffic is simplified as there is no opposing traffic so, although they may lead to longer distances to be covered, cars are moving faster and travel time is reduced. Also the elimination of conflict points at traffic lights is an added benefit for road safety”.
The system, which is set to be enforced on major roads including Nicosia inbound Makarios Avenue up until Boumboulinas, outbound Kallipoleos and Nikis up to Arsinois, also has the advantage of creating space which can be used for bus and cycling lanes, parking areas or pavements.
Traffic will also be eased by a €50 million 1.7-km underground tunnel connecting Ifigenias to Kykkos Avenue. “It’s expensive but it’s the only possible solution as we cannot go through residential areas”, said Lambrinou.
“We also plan to improve public transport by developing a multicentre system, with 5-6 major interchange locations, more buses and very frequent service” he added. Interchange locations include Solomou Square, Makarios Stadium, and near the universities and they will be joined by parking areas so people can leave their vehicles.
“The tram is an option for the long run, as a political decision is required” Lambrinou said, referring to plans to connect Solomou Square, Makarios Stadium and the new hospital by tram system.
The huge undertaking of decongesting the city’s transport network will cost upwards of €600 million, according to estimates.
This includes the most expensive projects which are the tunnel, and the €345 million tram system, which Lambrinou explains the cost of which can be spread over many years.
However, the implementation of the strategies is estimated to reduce traffic by 10-12 per cent by 2020, and will thus be economically and environmentally beneficial in the long run.
There will be a public presentation of the complete Master Plan on the June 22 at 6pm at the Journalist House, where the public can voice their opinions before the final proposal is handed to the Minister of Communications and Works Erato Kozakou Marcoullis.
