Nicosia, Cyprus. Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades warned on Friday that Cyprus risks total traffic deadlock unless long-term road projects proceed, confirming plans for a third highway north of Limassol. He said congestion has intensified as vehicle numbers grow while the road network has seen limited change.
Traffic growth and network constraints
Speaking on Sigma TV, Vafeades said Limassol registers around 13,000 new vehicles each year, adding pressure to a road system that has remained largely unchanged for a decade. He said that for the past 10 years, routes were added on the same existing network, contributing to the current level of congestion.
Contested road links and planned new routes
Vafeades defended road projects that have faced local opposition, saying that cancelling links such as the proposed Phytoriou Street extension deprived Limassol of vital exits. He highlighted the planned northern bypass and the so-called “third parallel highway,” which would connect villages north of Limassol, as strategically important projects aimed at easing congestion on the Limassol coastal axis.
Cost and long-term planning
He said road projects require long-term planning of at least 20 years and described them as investments for future generations. Vafeades put the total cost of planned works at more than €300 million over two decades.
Road safety measures
On road safety, Vafeades described current fatality figures as “tragic” and said the ministry, coordinating with the road safety council, was pursuing measures used elsewhere in Europe, including expanded camera enforcement and speed controls, to reduce road deaths and serious injuries.
What impact do you think the planned northern bypass and third parallel highway could have on Limassol traffic congestion?
