The changes in the streets of Larnaca have begun to be seen, due to the projects included in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), which will bring significant changes in traffic. The projects will focus on 11 major avenues in Larnaca, 5 secondary roads (two in Aradippou) and 8 local roads.
The main objective of the project is to improve road safety, accessibility and mobility, which will be achieved through the creation of bus lanes, bicycle lanes and pedestrian crossings.
The project started, with a delay of many months, on June 9, 2026 and is expected to be completed in August 2027, at a cost of €18.3 million. (plus VAT). It will be financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility of the European Union, in the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Plan of Cyprus.
The works include the construction of the surface layer of the road surface and the creation of bus lanes approximately 10.4 km long. and infrastructure for bus stops. In addition, 22.3 km long bicycle lanes will be built, among other things. as well as cycling infrastructure, 13 km long sidewalks, 182 crossings for pedestrians and cyclists of the Pelican and Zebra type, as well as 174 ramps for the disabled.
At the same time, new traffic lights will be installed or existing ones will be upgraded, horizontal and vertical signage will be made, while sewerage, rainwater, water supply and irrigation infrastructure works will also be carried out.
It is noted that a cycling network will be added, among others, on Acropolis, Spyros Kyprianou, Giannou Kranidiotis, Nikou and Despina Pattichi, Artemidos, Faneromeni and Limassol avenues. As far as the bus lanes are concerned, they will be created on Eleftherias Street and on Nikou and Despina Pattihi, Artemidos and Makarios Avenues.
The plans include one-way streets, reduction of vehicle lanes on main avenues, reconfiguration of main junctions to improve safety measures, planting and paving.
According to the data provided to "F" by the Department of Public Works, so far, the works for the construction of sidewalks and ramps have been completed, as well as the construction of flower beds and pedestrian crossings on Dimitras, Spyrou Kyprianou, Kimonos,, Makarios III, Kyriakos Matsis, Omirou and Artemidos streets. As far as the asphalt paving works are concerned, they have already been completed on Dimitras Street, while they are expected to continue on the rest of the streets.
At this time, the works continue on avenues. Eleftherias, Acropolis, Australias, Makarios III, Kyriakos Matsis and Einar Street. These concern the reconstruction and improvement of the sidewalks, the construction of ramps and pedestrian crossings, as well as the creation of flower gardens, where this is provided for by the approved plans of the project. Upon completion of these works, asphalt paving and configuration of the bus lanes and the bicycle path will be carried out.
Faneromenis Avenue will become unrecognizable
The SUMP projects will also bring radical changes to the image of some roads. One of them is the busy Faneromenis Avenue, which has been showing an image of abandonment in recent years, with local authorities receiving many complaints about both the condition of the street and the sidewalks.
The works are implemented in three consecutive phases, with each phase including two sub-sections In the context of the first phase, the works in the first section were completed, which included the construction of ramps and the reconstruction of the sidewalks, the creation of flower beds and central islands, as well as milling and installation of new asphalt pavement.
The result from the first section of the road that was completed is, however, very positive in terms of the image of the road, which was given to traffic on September 14 (direction from the Cineplex roundabout to the Faneromeni roundabout).
Work is currently being carried out on the right side of the road. This will be followed by the second phase from the Faneromeni roundabout to Egyptou Street and the third phase to the traffic lights of the avenue. These projects are expected to be completed next summer.
The change in the image of Dimitras Street in the "Pamboulas" area in the center of Larnaca (vertical of Makarios Avenue) is also huge. It is a road that was in a deplorable condition and crosses the old industrial area.
Asked by "F" to state whether there are reactions to the projects, the district Engineer of the Department of Public Works in Larnaca, Lazaros Lazarou, said that they are isolated. "The reactions, so far, are very isolated, we are examining them and adjustments are being made especially for business premises," he noted.
As for the notorious dividing stakes, for which there were strong reactions in Limassol, they will be installed in the next period in order to separate the bicycle lanes and allow their users to cross them safely. According to Mr. Lazarou, the intention is to install "about 50% of the small piles provided for in the plan, with the aim of preventing cars from parking on the bicycle lanes".
The mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, spoke about absolutely necessary projects for a European city. "It is not possible for a city, today, not to have bicycle lanes, provisions for public transport and more greenery. Through the projects, road safety will also be increased. My position is that in order to save lives, let's suffer a little more."
The Municipality of Larnaca will undertake the very important project of installing greenery in the areas created during the execution of the works for the SUMP. According to Mr. Vyras, large trees will be planted in these areas. "Where possible, islets are created on which we will plant. Plantings will be made in Faneromenis as soon as the first phase of the project is completed", noted the mayor of Larnaca, adding that concrete was put at one point on the dividing island, "because the services pass under it and trees cannot be planted there".
The park and ride projects are also at an advanced stage
By the end of the year, two more projects are expected to be completed, meanwhile, that are part of the SUMP and concern the creation of two Park and Transfer Stations for park and ride in Aradippou and Kalo Chorio, Larnaca.
The cost of the projects will amount to €4.4 million. The Station in Aradippou will be located near the Rizoelia roundabout and will include a ground floor building with a canopy, a two-bus stop, as well as uncovered parking spaces for 67 spaces. The Station in Kalo Chorio will be located near the roundabout of the same name and will include a ground floor building with a canopy, a two-bus stop, as well as uncovered parking spaces for 195 spaces.
A third project that is indirectly linked to SUMP is the creation of a new Central Bus Station in the center of Larnaca. The works have begun and according to information from the Department of Public Works, if no delays occur, the project will be completed in a year. The project has a cost of €6.4 million. and includes, among other things, ticket offices, office space, a waiting room and 8 bus stops.
The Central Bus Station will operate as a transfer hub, serving urban, intercity and regional lines at the same time, as well as direct connections to Larnaca International Airport.
