Tseriou Avenue Works Enter New Phase in Strovolos

The appearance of Tseriou Avenue is gradually changing as, after months of excavations, utility relocations, traffic diversions and ongoing infrastructure works, crews have now moved on to the resurfacing phase of the first section of the project.

This marks a turning point in the redevelopment, as for the first time a significant stretch of the avenue is beginning to acquire its final form and leave behind the construction-site appearance that has dominated the area in recent months.

Works to upgrade Tseriou Avenue began in October 2024 and involve a comprehensive transformation of the road rather than simply replacing the asphalt surface.

The contract, worth approximately €9.8 million excluding VAT, covers 2.2 kilometres of Tseriou Avenue and an additional 1.2 kilometres of connecting side roads, with funding provided 80% by the state and 20% by Strovolos Municipality.

How Tseriou Avenue is changing

The redevelopment includes, among other improvements:

• Construction of new and wider pavements.
• Upgrading of the stormwater drainage system.
• Undergrounding of utility services.
• Reconstruction of networks and infrastructure that have been located beneath the roadway for many years.
• Creation of hundreds of parking spaces.
• New pedestrian crossings.
• New bus stops.
• Extensive tree planting.

The goal is to transform Tseriou Avenue from a road primarily serving vehicle traffic into a more organised and functional urban corridor.

The resurfacing of the first phase is particularly significant for another reason as well.

The lengthy construction period has caused considerable disruption in the area. Traffic has been diverted through neighbouring roads, diversion routes have changed according to the progress of works, and business owners operating along the avenue have repeatedly complained about restricted access to their premises and reduced customer traffic.

 

 

Completion now expected in 2027

The original project timetable has since been revised because delays arose during construction.

Among the factors affecting progress were interventions to utility networks and works carried out by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC).

Strovolos Mayor Stavros Stavrinides previously told Politis that, based on the latest data, the aim is now for the entire project to be completed by March 2027, provided no further unforeseen delays occur.

The start of resurfacing nevertheless represents the first clear indication that at least a large part of the difficult excavation stage is nearing completion.

This does not mean the area will immediately be free of traffic management measures, however, as work continues on other sections of the avenue and adjacent roads.

New asphalt after 30 years

During the same period, Strovolos Municipality completed resurfacing works on Prodromou Street, a road which, according to Mayor Stavrinides, had not undergone substantial reconstruction for approximately 30 years.

The works were carried out during night-time hours in order to minimise disruption on a road that experiences particularly heavy traffic during the day.

This resurfacing project is significant not only as another road maintenance intervention but also because it reflects the new reality created by local government reform.

Since 1 July 2024, responsibility for part of the road network that was previously managed by the Public Works Department has been transferred to municipalities, which are now responsible for maintaining and planning interventions on a larger portion of the road network.

In the case of Prodromou Street, this change has practical importance because a road that had been awaiting substantial intervention for decades was finally able to be included in the municipality's programme and resurfaced.

‘Responsibilities increased, but resources did not’

Speaking to Politis about the new reality following local government reform, Mayor Stavrinides said municipalities have been given significant additional responsibilities, the most important of which is the maintenance of the road network, including roads of primary importance.

At the same time, he stressed that these responsibilities have brought increased financial demands.

Stavrinides said the state grant allocated to Strovolos is not sufficient to cover, to the desired degree, the cost of maintaining the expanded road network now under the municipality's responsibility.

He noted that this is an issue affecting local government more broadly following implementation of the reform.

Regarding Tseriou Avenue, the mayor acknowledged the fatigue and frustration caused by the prolonged duration of the works, particularly among residents, motorists and business owners in the area.

As he told Politis, the municipality remains in constant contact with the relevant authorities and the contractor in an effort to minimise delays wherever possible and gradually complete those sections where traffic and access can be restored.

Stavrinides further pointed out that the resurfacing of the first phase represents an important step forward because part of the avenue is now emerging from the excavation stage and beginning to take on its final form.

At the same time, he stressed that works will continue in other sections of Tseriou Avenue during the coming months.