Major Nicosia old city road closed for upgrade

A major upgrade to Rigenis street, one of the busiest roads in old Nicosia that runs from Ledra street to Solomos square is currently underway and will last for three months.

The closure will mean a big detour for drivers wanting access from the east towards Paphos Gate and those wanting to drive through the old city.

According to the Nicosia municipality, the lockdown, with all non-essential shops closed, provides the opportunity to totally close the road for a much-needed upgrade with the least possible inconvenience to shopkeepers and residents.

“The road needed a major upgrade for some time,” a Nicosia municipality spokesperson told the Cyprus Mail. “The ongoing lockdown has given us a perfect opportunity to begin the works.

“The deadline for the upgrade is in three months, but we are actually hoping to complete the project before, so that the impact on shopkeepers is the least possible.”

Apart from Rigenis street, Vasilios Voulgaroktonou street will also be partially closed to traffic.

The project is aiming to improve the condition of the road and widen the pavements for pedestrians.

The municipality is also planning to install an underground fibre optic network and to upgrade the rainwater collection system.