NICOSIA – Everything is ready for the start of a flash “special operation” on August 8 that would give a complete facelift to the central Limassol Avenue in Nicosia. The plan is for the sewage network to be installed and the avenue to be back to normal within a fortnight.
After plans by the Public Works Department and contractors a decision was made to conduct road works in Limassol Avenue between August 8 and 22, without stopping traffic in the area.
The period chosen for the road works coincides with the August holidays when most people are away from the capital.
The traffic will then be transferred to the Nicosia-bound part of the carriageway, while works are carried out in the opposite direction. The avenue is expected to be fully back in use on August 23.
During this time, the Public Works Department in cooperation with Nicosia Municipality will replace the area’s old sewage system with the new one, as part of the aim to completely renew the capital’s sewage system.
The Head of the Public Works Department, Alecos Michaelides, explained that the project had been reduced from seven to two weeks, with work expected to be carried out almost on a 24-hour basis.
The last big works involving arterial routes such as Athalassa Avenue, shifts were doubled to ensure minimal disruption and finish off as soon as possible.
But Michaelides was keen to point out that this didn’t mean the costs would double also. He said the cost of the project, if it were to be carried out over a period of seven weeks – as initially proposed – would have cost €1 million, but denied the new cost would even reach €2 million.
“Our main plea is for those motorists who can avoid using Limassol Avenue during these dates to do so; otherwise, there will be members of the Traffic Police there at all times to direct drivers,” said Michaelides.