Limassol, Cyprus. A new northern bypass road is planned around Limassol under a wider transport programme aimed at easing congestion in Cyprus’ second-largest city, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades announced on Friday.
Northern bypass
The Transport Ministry described the programme as a comprehensive plan intended to create alternative routes, improve traffic distribution and provide relief in areas with heavy congestion.
The northern bypass was described as the plan’s most important project. It is intended to channel traffic outside densely built-up urban areas.
The road will be developed in five sections and is expected to connect Limassol from east to west, allowing motorists to avoid the existing motorway running through the city’s suburbs.
Other road projects
The plan also includes a motorway running north from Limassol towards the Saittas reservoir, near Moniatis village on the route to the Troodos mountains.
Additional suburban roads are planned in areas with high traffic volumes, including a new link between Ypsonas and Polemidia.
The ministry said the projects are intended to improve connections between individual areas, strengthen alternative routes and reduce congestion on the city’s main road axes.
Traffic lights and costs
The programme also предусматривает the installation of smart traffic lights at 50 new locations across Limassol. The ministry said the system would improve traffic-light coordination and adapt operations to actual traffic conditions.
According to newspaper Phileleftheros, the overall plan will cost €493 million, with the northern bypass estimated at €182.5 million.
Minister’s statement
Vafeades said the plans represented the first comprehensive mapping of Limassol’s needs and required projects.
He said the government wanted to agree priorities with local authorities and coordinate the next steps, while proceeding both with interventions offering immediate traffic relief and with major projects to complete the city’s road network.