When surveyed, most residents of Etchmiadzin, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic Church, say that there are more roadways in need of repair than the other way around.

The total length of the roads and intercommunity roads of Etchmiadzin is about 340 km, of which 240 km are asphalted. The rest are lined with dirt and gravel. 

While residents complain that the roads in the Aram Manukyan neighborhood and Hunan Avetisyan streets are the worst, the municipality is now upgrading streets that are in relatively good condition.

 “It’s easier to say which streets are renovated than vice versa, that need renovation. There are fewer renovated streets. There are forgotten streets. The city authorities pay more attention to the central streets, and the suburbs are in a terrible state, "says Etchmiadzin resident Armen Sargsyan.

As part of a subsidy program targeting the development of community economic and social infrastructure, the asphalt of several roads in the town will be removed and a new pavement layer installed.  

The total cost of the subsidy program is 117.7 million drams. The Etchmiadzin Municipality will pay 55%; 64.7 million drams.

Shinplus LLC won the tender bid for the project. 

The repairs are expected to be completed by September 30. The length of Vazgen I Street is 771.5 m. The other streets to be upgraded measure 267 meters.

These streets are in relatively good condition. Potholes are regularly filled.   

Avetisyan Street, however, which isn’t slated for renovation, becomes almost impassable on rainy days. Students get bogged down in the mud before they reach school.

The Etchmiadzin Municipality believes that asphalting Vazgen I and Vram Kostanyan Streets, in the central part of the city, will facilitate traffic for both drivers and pedestrians, resulting in safer streets.