In recent weeks, two of the four lanes on Ippokratous Avenue have opened to traffic, with the remaining two expected to follow within December. Argyroupoleos and part of Tseriou Avenue remain under construction.
The connection between the Nicosia–Limassol motorway and, by extension, Latsia with Strovolos and Lakatamia, from the GSP Stadium to Tseriou Avenue, is a three-kilometre project that has been on the list of priority works for 25 years. Its importance lies in its potential to significantly reduce congestion at the entrance to Nicosia, where long queues form every morning, and to ease pressure along Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue while diverting through-traffic away from residential areas.
The project was first submitted for environmental assessment in November 2010, but remained stagnant during the financial crisis. After years of delays, construction began in early 2023 and is now approaching completion.
March, hopefully
After significant disruption for residents and drivers, the project is now in its final stage. With a seven-month delay, the bypass is expected to be completed in March 2026. Under the same contract, the southern section of Tseriou Avenue (Theoktistos junction to Perimeter Road/Pefkou junction) is also nearing completion. The contract was awarded in full to the Iacovou–Cyfield consortium.
December for Ippokratous
According to Public Works Director Eleftherios Eleftheriou, the project is currently progressing within the extended timeframe. Two of the four lanes on Ippokratous Avenue have already opened to traffic, serving both directions. The remaining two lanes are in their final phase and are expected to open by the end of December.
The sections still under construction include:
- Argyroupoleos Street, from the GSP Stadium to the new Tseriou roundabout
- The stretch of Tseriou Avenue from the junction with Spyrou Kyprianou to the new Tseriou roundabout
In total, the project spans 6.2 km, with a construction cost of €30.7 million and €12 million in expropriations.
The road will be four lanes throughout, with wide pavements, green islands, more than 3,000 trees, 15,000 shrubs, pelican pedestrian crossings, three new roundabouts, bus bays, facilities for people with disabilities, and full road lighting. A bicycle lane is included along part of the route but stops at Spyrou Kyprianou due to lack of provision in the remaining Tseriou section.
A five-minute gain
According to Public Works Department estimates, expected daily traffic flows after the road becomes operational are:
- 23,000 vehicles on Argyroupoleos
- 16,000 vehicles on Ippokratous
- 25,000 vehicles on the Tseriou section between the new junction and Spyrou Kyprianou
- 13,000 vehicles from the Ippokratous–Argyroupoleos junction to Pefkou–Perimeter junction
With the project complete, drivers are expected to save a minimum of five minutes on their journeys, depending on the time of day and overall congestion.
The Nicosia Perimeter Road is also expected to operate more efficiently. Currently used by 17,000 vehicles daily, many drivers avoid it due to the Tseriou construction zone and the bottleneck at Pefkou. These issues are expected to ease once the new road network becomes fully operational.