Digenis Akritas Avenue in Nicosia to shut in stages for culvert upgrade
Part of Digenis Akritas Avenue between Kallipoleos and Larnakos will close in phases from October 5 so the stormwater culvert beneath it can be repaired and reinforced.
Work on the stormwater culvert running under Digenis Akritas Avenue in Nicosia begins Monday, October 5, as reported by the Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (DLGO). The section between Kallipoleos and Larnakos avenues will be shut in stages so the aging structure can be repaired, maintained and strengthened.
If everything runs on schedule, all phases will last 28 weeks. The first stage, stretching from Protagorou Street to Alkamenous Street, should wrap up by December 4, 2026. The budget stands at 2,259,499 euros plus VAT, with the state covering two-thirds and the DLGO funding the remainder from stormwater fees paid by property owners.
The culvert, a reinforced concrete channel built roughly half a century ago when the Kotsirkas river was covered, now shows wear from age, traffic vibration and constant exposure to river water. DLGO says the damage is most serious under junctions with main roads and where lorries pass regularly.
"The DLGO apologised for any inconvenience and asked residents, business owners and road users for their understanding."
What it means for residents
Anyone driving between Pallouriotissa, Kaimakli and central Nicosia should plan for months of disrupted traffic on one of the busiest corridors out of the capital. The road above the culvert has to be closed while crews work underneath, so the impact will be felt well beyond the immediate neighbourhood.
- Allow extra time for journeys via Kallipoleos Avenue, especially during morning and evening peaks, and consider alternative routes while lanes are shut.
- Watch for phase announcements — the DLGO will publish details of each stage before it begins on its website.
- Stormwater fees at work — the money property owners pay each year is being directed at flood prevention, so expect more similar projects across Nicosia district.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
