Construction work began on Monday in Strovolos’ historic centre as part of a €5.65 million renovation programme that will underground all utilities and install smart city infrastructure around two historic churches.
The 18-month project focuses on the area surrounding the historic churches of Panagia Chryseleousa and Agios Georgios, Strovolos Mayor Stavros Stavrinidis told Philenews.
The works will create a unified level road surface and pavements, place all utility services underground, and install a new stormwater pipe with double the diameter of the existing one to better manage water flows during heavy rainfall, according to Stavrinidis.
The project will also highlight the two historic church monuments whilst installing new high-quality road and street equipment alongside smart city infrastructure and systems.
The budget of €5.65 million is co-financed by European and investment funds under the THALEIA 2021-2027 cohesion policy programme. Construction contractor Miltiades Neophytou Civil Engineering Contractors & Developers Ltd will implement the project.
Stavrinidis said the aim is to prevent through-traffic using the historic centre, noting alternative routes exist via Strovolos Avenue and Elaionon and Makedonitissas streets.
Traffic management measures and diversions will be in place during construction, but the centre will remain accessible to vehicles as works are being carried out in phases, Stavrinidis said.
The municipality is working with the contractor to ensure uninterrupted access for all residents and business owners, whilst arrangements have been made to use empty plots for parking by area residents and businesses, he added.
Key project objectives include ensuring the sustainability of Strovolos historic centre, reducing vehicle speeds, implementing traffic management measures and discouraging through-traffic, according to Stavrinidis.
The mayor said the project aims to revitalise the area and attract new permanent residents through qualitative upgrading of the space and improved living and working conditions.
All upgrading works are being done with full respect for architectural heritage, with the ultimate goal of highlighting it, he added.
The municipality announced that during construction, Agias Marinas street and streets around Agios Georgios church will be closed to vehicles, with access permitted only to residents.
Specifically, vehicle traffic on Agias Marinas Street will be permitted only for residents and business visitors, operating as a dead end with partial road closures during the installation of new sewerage network works expected to last three months.
Vehicle access will be closed for streets around Agios Georgios church—the secondary road network enclosed by Archbishop Kyprianou and Ifaistou streets. Area residents and business visitors will have safe pedestrian access to properties.
The public can use available parking spaces opposite Panagia Chryseleousa church, behind the Roes multipurpose centre and on Archbishop Kyprianou street. These works are expected to last six months.
The municipality said waste collection for affected areas will continue normally. The public can contact the municipal call centre on 22470470 for any issues.
Continuous project updates are available at https://pirinas.strovolos.org.cy/. The public can contact 22470470 or email [email protected] regarding the project.