Filenews 29 May 2025 - by Vasos Vassiliou
Vehicle traffic on Makariou Avenue in Nicosia may increase by about 1,300% and perhaps more, in case the decision of the City Council to allow entry to all vehicles is implemented.
Based on the measurements, at the moment 1,000 vehicles are circulated in Makariou per day, including buses and, according to estimates, any opening to all vehicles will attract perhaps 13,000 vehicles, i.e. those who used the avenue before the start of the redevelopment works. It is not excluded, and due to the general increase in traffic on the road network, vehicles will reach the levels of 2004-2005 when the road was used daily by 14,500 vehicles.
Transport experts estimate that the increase in vehicles will mainly have negative effects, without at the same time bringing about the positive results expected by the supporters of the Municipal Council's decision. As we were told, in the period 2014-2015 when Makariou was open for all vehicles, 80% of the stores were closed and one reason why the project was promoted in the Makarios-Stasikratous-Evagorou Triangle was the improvement of the region's commerciality as well as the attraction of citizens/customers.
It is also noted that until 2019 there were three traffic lanes (one of which was also used for right-hand movements) compared to today when there are two traffic lanes.
Another regulation that existed before and does not exist today, concerns the absence of pedestrian crossings, with all that this entails in terms of safety issues. It is worth noting that from the central police station (former Lycabettus) to Evagorou Avenue there is no pedestrian crossing even for a sample.
After all, Stasandrou Street was closed and turned into a square and the data at this point are now very different. One of the questions that arises concerns whether the current patrons of the cafes along Makariou Street or the surrounding streets will continue to come down for coffee, walks, etc., when instead of the 1,000 that are currently circulating, they will skyrocket to about 13,000 or will look for other hangouts away from traffic and exhaust gases.
However, in addition to the issue of exhaust fumes and the nuisance that will be created, some notice that insecurity will also increase, especially for those who have young children who may not be able to distinguish where the road is and where the sidewalk, in the sense that in terms of altitude they are now at the same level.
What transport experts indicate is that Makariou was already facing a problem with traffic even when it was open for vehicles, while even at that time, in terms of commerciality, it was also facing issues, which are not expected to be solved only with the entry of vehicles.
At the same time, it is indicated that the decision of the majority of the Municipal Council was taken without a study and without examining any alternatives.
One of the issues of concern is the possibility that the EU may request the recovery of the money given for the implementation of the project, which is co-financed. It is noted that one of the indicators invoked by the Municipality of Nicosia to obtain funding was the bus lanes, which were formed but, de facto, will be neutralized by the thousands of vehicles that will occupy them.
Of course, the above issues will concern the General Directorate of Development and the Traffic Studies Body, and finally, the issue of the opening of Makariou Avenue for all vehicles will end up with the Chief of Police, who, obviously, before deciding, will examine the suggestions that will come from the Agency.
The current situation in Makariou and what prevailed before
The situation that prevails in the northern part of Makarios (traffic lights of Lycabettus Police Station up to the traffic lights in Solomos Square) is as follows:
CURRENT SITUATION (TWO DIRECTIONS, 2 lanes)
Daily Vehicle Traffic: 1,000 vehicles/day (including buses). The data comes from the Smart City systems of the Nicosia Municipality
Daily Bus Traffic Distribution (Nicosia Buses & Intercity), the data comes from the bus telematics system:
Monday-Thursday: 218 buses
Friday: 224 buses
Saturday: 178 buses
Sunday: 142 buses
PREVIOUS SITUATION (TWO DIRECTIONS, 3 lanes): Data from the database of the Department of Public Works and measurements made on Leof. Makariou before closing for private vehicles:
Handling of 13,000 vehicles per day
Finally, it should be noted that in the context of the AXIS traffic study, in the period 2004-2005, 14,500 vehicles per day were recorded on Makariou Avenue (northern part).
