Moscow and Isahakyan Streets to Become One-Way: Details

Work is ongoing at the intersection of Abovyan and Isahakyan streets regarding the organization of traffic. Installation of traffic lights has commenced, after which the setup of the bus lanes will continue along Isahakyan and Moscow streets, followed by Mashtots Avenue, and the full corridor will be completed. The aim is to finish this by September. This was announced by Vazgen Harutyunyan, head of the transport department of the Yerevan municipality, during a working consultation.

Mayor Tigran Avinyan responded, confirming that Moscow street would be one-way and Isahakyan street would also be made one-way. Harutyunyan confirmed that the traffic organization changes are intended to make the streets one-way: "Moscow street will be one-way, with traffic flowing from Mashtots Avenue towards Khanzhyan, while Isahakyan street will be in the opposite direction," he noted and added that after the completion of works, all bus routes would have uninterrupted access to the end of Mashtots Avenue.

Avinyan remarked that the project is being implemented in stages, as there is still Myasnikyan Avenue, which will also be added to the general route later on. "Without extending the bus lines, we cannot find any positive solutions to the growing number of individual vehicles in Yerevan. Overall, the main goal of the public transport reforms is to prioritize public transport for those who travel by it, as public transport significantly alleviates Yerevan's streets. Specifically, the number of people that a single bus can carry is comparable to the number of people in 50-60 cars," he stated. This will be the guiding principle for Yerevan, meaning that preference will be given to buses in designated lanes and public transport, while we must also consider that this will create certain inconveniences for motorists.

According to Avinyan, cities that have successfully implemented these changes at the right time have achieved favorable traffic conditions, while those that delayed similar reforms face a "shameful situation" regarding traffic. "This is not a whim. There is no alternative to this path, because if we do not prevent the trend of increasing vehicle numbers, meaning we must create certain additional opportunities for public transport, also creating some obstacles for private vehicles, then I say we will one day leave our homes in our cars only to find ourselves stuck near our own yards," Avinyan added.