"Vodno is the soul of Skopje," said Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski, announcing a full reconstruction of the road to Sredno Vodno. Every weekend this is the destination of hundreds of Skopje residents - day trips, walks, cycling. And it is a road that for years has had damaged asphalt, broken drainage and warped crash barriers.

Specifically what changes:

• Full repaving of the road - something that hasn't been done seriously in the last 10-15 years
• Repair of the stormwater drainage system - which has been broken for years, the reason parts of the road flood after rain
• Replacement of the crash barriers - the things that stop a car going off the road, deformed over time

It's a serious list - and all of it means the road will be partially or fully closed during periods of the summer. For those who want to use Vodno for a walk - go now, while the road is still open.

The question on residents' minds: will the reconstruction follow the plan, or will it drag on for years? Macedonia's track record with public infrastructure isn't always encouraging. A street reconstruction that should theoretically take three months ends up taking six or more - with traffic chaos, hurt businesses, and explanations about "technical difficulties."

Pedestrian paths up to Vodno are being worked on in parallel. Urban furniture is being replaced. The lake's condition is being addressed. "The lungs of Skopje" - as Gjorgjievski calls Vodno - is finally getting the attention it deserves. That's a good step. Whether it will be finished before summer ends depends on how the administration handles deadlines.

For residents, the question right now is simple - where do you go while the work is happening? Alternative paths up Vodno exist, but they're narrower and less suitable for families with children. The city will have to provide temporary arrangements until the main road is done - otherwise, no matter how good the plan is, the execution will be unpopular.