France assisting Yerevan`s authorities in traffic development 

ArmInfo. The French region of Ile-de-France has assisted the authorities of the capital of Armenia in developing a project to change traffic on several streets in Yerevan. These changes will be implemented in June and are aimed at relieving traffic flows in the city. This was announced at a press  conference on June 4 by the head of the Yerevan City Hall's Transport  Department, Vazgen Harutyunyan.

He noted that this project is a continuation of the initiative to  introduce a separate lane for buses. In particular, it is planned to  create a single route for bus lines that will connect several  administrative districts. Public transport will move along a  dedicated lane, which will give it an advantage over other types of  transport. According to Harutyunyan, this will make bus trips more  comfortable and faster.

"As a result of joint work with our French colleagues, a project for  changing traffic was proposed, which was also discussed with  representatives of the traffic police and the Patrol Service. We will  begin implementing it in the near future," Harutyunyan noted.

Referring to specific changes, he emphasized that the bus lines  already operating to Mashtots Street will be extended to Isakov  Street. As the head of the transport department explained, the bus  route from Mashtots Street will be extended to Khorenatsi Street, and  then through Italy and Beirut Streets to the Victory Bridge.

In addition, as Harutyunyan noted, a change in the traffic pattern on  Saryan Street is expected: one-way traffic will be introduced in the  direction from Leo Street to Baghramyan Street, as well as from  Tumanyan Street to the part adjacent to Moskovyan Street. "The reason  for establishing one-way traffic on Saryan Street is the high  congestion of this tourist area, where significant traffic jams are  observed. It is expected that the changes will allow organizing  parking for cars and will ensure the continuity of traffic flows,"  the head of the transport department explained.

Harutyunyan also added that Mashtots Street will be proposed as an  alternative direction for traffic from Saryan Street. He noted that  the changes on Mashtots Street were introduced precisely in  connection with these innovations.

Touching on whether one-way traffic on Saryan will lead to increased  congestion on Mashtots, Harutyunyan announced the introduction of a  ban on parking near the Indoor Market on Mashtots Street and on  Amiryan Street, starting from Saryan and in the direction of the last  section on Mashtots Street.  "All these changes are aimed at ensuring  the continuity of traffic on Mashtots Street and preventing traffic  jams," the head of the transport department stated. 

In addition, the changes will also affect Khorenatsi Street, as well  as Surb Lusavorich Street, and an additional lane for left-hand  traffic will be added at the intersection with Mashtots Street. "The  changes have already been implemented on Amiryan Street and at the  intersection with Khorenatsi Street," Harutyunyan added.

As for the establishment of parking bans in some areas, Harutyunyan  noted that this only concerns some parts of Mashtots Street and  Amiryan Street, which, as the head of the department assured, should  not create obstacles for residents of these streets. In addition,  according to Harutyunyan, changes will also be made to the operation  of traffic lights at all sections and intersections where changes in  traffic will be made.

In particular, as a result of the ban on left-hand turns on Mashtots  Street, monitoring will be carried out and new traffic light modes  will be established.

According to Harutyunyan, the work is planned to begin at the  intersection of Grigor Lusavorich and Mashtots streets, after which  separate bus lines will be introduced from Mashtots street in the  direction of the Pobeda Bridge. Then, traffic light modes and road  markings will also be changed, and after that, changes will begin on  Saryan street. At the same time, the real result of the  implementation of these changes, as Harutyunyan noted, will be  noticeable in a month or a month and a half. "Our studies show that  the results of changes in traffic become visible in a month,  therefore, it is illogical to expect any result the next day after  their implementation," Harutyunyan summed up.