Traffic on Athens Avenue has turned into a nightmare with delays of up to 55 minutes for what normally takes 10 minutes, worsened by rerouted vehicles from the Attica Highway due to construction work.
As of early Monday morning, traffic on Athens Avenue has reached critical levels, with vehicles moving at a crawl and delays extending up to 55 minutes for distances that typically take only 10 minutes. This situation has persisted for hours, significantly affecting the main thoroughfare leading to downtown Athens. The traffic chaos is attributed to the diversion of vehicles from the Attica Highway due to ongoing emergency maintenance work on the "Liouziou" tunnel.
According to a statement from the Traffic Police, the expected completion of the heavy maintenance work has been extended, resulting in a full closure of the entry branches on the Attica Highway towards the Airport at the Mandras, Magoulas, Aspropyrgos, and Aigaleo junctions, which will last until 06:00 on February 22. Consequently, traffic toward downtown Athens and Lamia is being rerouted through Athens Avenue and Kifisou Avenue, while drivers heading to the airport are directed via Kifisou and the Metamorfosi junction.
The traffic congestion is not limited to Athens Avenue; significant delays are also reported on Kifisos Avenue. The current scenario has led to heightened frustration among drivers and commuters, highlighting the impact of infrastructure issues on daily life in Athens. It raises questions about the adequacy of road management and planning in dealing with emergencies and maintenance work.
