Bucharest main boulevard Calea Victoriei will undergo an almost EUR 2 million facelift which will widen the pedestrian parts, add bike lanes and shrink the street, the city's municipality recently announced.

The smaller area for car traffic should not be a problem, however, as the authorities expect the Buzesti-Berzei-Uranus boulevard to take much of the traffic, hence offering the possibility to turn the Victoriei avenue into a more ' walking and biking' area. The needed space will come from taking over a lane and a half from the street, said Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu.

Work is due to start on February 24, and should ready in August this year, and during this period, car traffic will be restricted to two lanes.

The future bike lanes will be separated from the street with 10-centimeter tall border stone. The project will also include modernizing the street lighting system, green areas and urban furniture.

Calea Victoriei is a major Bucharest avenue, named Ulita Mare or the Brasov road in the 17th century, as it was part of the trade route between Bucharest and Brasov at the time. At the time paved with wood, the street got another name in early 18th century, the Mogosoaia wood paved road (in Romanian, Podul Mogosoaia).

Later in the middle of the 19th century it was paved with cobblestone and asphalted. It was named Calea Victoriei in late 18th century after the Independence War (victoriei means victory in Romanian). The avenue is currently home to several luxury hotels, museums, and luxury stores.

editor@romania-insider.com