Cyprus authorities have officially opened the new Argyroupoleos Avenue to traffic in western Nicosia. The project, which had remained in the planning and discussion stages for more than two decades, has finally become a reality and is already carrying its first flows of vehicles.
The new four-lane road links Tseriou Avenue via a newly constructed roundabout to the transport hub near the GSP Stadium and provides more convenient access to the Nicosia–Limassol motorway. For residents of Strovolos, Lakatamia, and other western districts of the capital, this means faster and more direct access to the island’s main transport arteries.
Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said traffic was opened after the completion of the required safety inspections and the receipt of the necessary police authorization.
A Project Costing Nearly €26 Million
Argyroupoleos Avenue forms part of a wider programme to modernize the road network in western Nicosia. According to the Ministry of Transport, the contract was valued at €25.8 million excluding VAT. The works were carried out by the IACOVOU-CYFIELD consortium, one of the largest infrastructure contractors in Cyprus.
However, the final cost of the project exceeded the original estimates. Lakatamia Mayor Fotoula Hadjipapa confirmed that expenses surpassed the initial budget and that construction took longer than planned. The Department of Public Works is currently assessing potential penalties for delays in completing the project.
Will the New Road Help Solve Traffic Congestion?
One of the project's main objectives is to redistribute traffic flows across western Nicosia. In recent years, residents of the capital have regularly faced severe congestion on the city's main access routes, particularly during peak hours.
According to the Transport Minister, the new road will help ease pressure on Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue, existing motorway access points, and several heavily congested urban roads. However, the real impact will only become clear after the first months of operation. Specialists have already begun collecting traffic data to assess how significantly travel times for motorists will be reduced.
Transport experts note that building new roads remains one of the key tools for tackling congestion in Cyprus. However, in the long term, the problem cannot be solved solely by expanding the road network. In recent years, authorities have also been investing in public transport, dedicated bus lanes, and cycling infrastructure.
What Still Remains to Be Completed
Despite the opening of the road, some elements of the project are still being finalized. Work continues in certain areas on sidewalks, cycling paths, and related infrastructure.
Authorities emphasize that once all works are fully completed, the new avenue will become more than just a transport corridor. It is intended to form part of a modern urban environment designed not only for motorists but also for pedestrians and cyclists.
Strovolos Mayor Stavros Stavrinides described the opening as a historic event for the city. According to him, Argyroupoleos Avenue will become an important component of the future ring-road transport system around Nicosia. The development of similar projects is considered one of the priorities of the government's transport strategy, as the population of the capital region continues to grow and the number of vehicles on the roads increases every year.
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Photos: pixabay.com, DOM
