It is a great pleasure to attend today the signing of the contract for the implementation of one of the most important urban road projects in the wider Nicosia area. This is the Construction/Improvement of Ippokratous and Argyroupoleos Avenues and part of the southern extension of Cheriou Avenue, in Lakatamia and Strovolos.
These roads, with a total length of 6.2 km., are sections of roads of primary importance in the Nicosia Local Plan, of great traffic and urban planning significance, because they directly connect the western and eastern side of Nicosia, as well as its peripheral motorway, thus completing the network of main roads in the wider area of the city.
On the one hand, this project will decisively contribute to reducing traffic congestion at the entrance to the city of Nicosia and relieve pressure along Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue, and on the other hand, it will relieve through traffic through residential areas, contributing to the traffic congestion concentrated further north at the beginning of Nicosia. On the other hand, in addition to the traffic benefits, the construction of Argyroupolis Avenue will contribute to the development of residential land, as it will greatly facilitate its accessibility.
On the other hand, we have the widening/improvement of part of the Cheriou and Strovolos Avenues, which will create a new four-lane urban boulevard, 2600 metres long, from the roundabout at the junction of Spyros Kyprianou and Cheriou Avenues (Theoktistou junction), up to the junction with Pefkos Street (GSP lights), where it will be connected to the Nicosia Perimeter Motorway project, which is already being implemented.
This urban planning project is financed 4/5 from the budget of the Department of Urban Planning and Zoning (by the State) and 1/5 by the Local Authorities of the Municipalities of Lakatamia and Strovolos.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The construction of a modern urban boulevard creates an aesthetically upgraded and attractive environment through green building and sustainable mobility, giving space to pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and of course the car.
This vision is not based on conjunctural policies, but is a holistic planning in the urban centres of Cyprus, implemented through the Development Plans.
This type of projects have been promoted in recent years to improve the living conditions of citizens while creating an attractive urban environment.
Projects governed by a similar philosophy in planning are. [*]Creation of a linear park on the old railway line in Kokkinotrimithia - PHASE A (Expected to be tendered in March 2023). [*]Redevelopment of "Archbishop Makarios Avenue" in Kato Deftera (Expected to be tendered in July 2023) etc. [/LIST]
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Any objective observer can easily see that the Government of President Anastasiades has succeeded with such projects to change the image of our country. We are proud because we invested in development and succeeded in improving the quality of life of our fellow citizens. I want to thank all those involved in the project.
The Municipalities of Lakatamia and Strovolos, the officials of the Department of Urban Planning and Zoning who prepared the Regulatory Plan, the Department of Public Works who prepared the study of the Construction Plans and declared the tender, as well as the Department of Cadastre and Land Surveying, who in cooperation with the Department of Urban Planning and Zoning, prepared the expropriation and annexation plans, making this project a reality.
Let me also personally thank my dear colleague Yannis Karousosos for his determination to wheel the construction of these important projects and for the excellent cooperation between us.
(EFYs/MG/EXP)
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