Filenews 15 December 2021
The Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Mr. Yiannis Karousos, announced today the announcement of the tender for the construction of the Astromeritis – Evrychou interurban motorway. The announcement of the announcement was made in Galata in the presence of the Commissioner for the Development of Mountainous Areas, Mr. Costas Champiaouris, and the Communes of the villages of the Solea Complex, where the Minister presented the various stages concerning the progress of the project's implementation.
The Project is located in Nicosia District and concerns the construction of a four-lane interurban motorway of approximately 11 km in length. The motorway starts at a point of the existing road Astromeritis – Evrychou south of the community Astromeritis after the junction to the community of Byzakis and ends at the junction of the existing road Astromeritis – Evrychou with the road to Kykkos in the area of Atsa. The estimated cost of the project amounts to €89,250,000, incl. VAT. The tendering period starts on 15 December 2021 and will end on 11 March 2022.
The Project is first class and includes a interchange in the area of Koutrafas, as well as two aboveground and two underground car crossings to connect the areas on either side and the existing road. It also includes a large viaduct of about 700 m., in the river of Elia (Vyzakia). At the beginning of the Project, a level contribution is foreseen, which will be replaced with an under-level contribution in the future, in the context of the construction of the Section Denia – Astromeritis. At the end of the Project, a terminal level roundabout is foreseen at the intersection to Kalopanayiotis – Kykkos.
The Project includes works related to earthworks, rainwater drains, construction of technical works (viaduct, upper and lower crossings, retaining walls, etc.), networks of public utilities, pavement construction, road signs and signalling, safety nets, etc.
It is noted that the existing Astromeritis – Evrychou road will remain in operation after the construction of the new motorway.
During the discussion he had with the Communes of the villages of the Solea Complex, the Minister mentioned that for the Anastasiades Government, this Project is considered of the highest priority and for this reason it has been included in the National Strategic Plan of Mountain Communities and its implementation has been approved by the Council of Ministers as a Project of important public interest.
"The Project is another announcement by the President of the Republic and for the Government it is considered a top priority. This is a project that local communities have been waiting for for decades and is a practical proof of the government's will to support the residents of the mountainous areas", said Mr. Karousos, underlining that "with the construction of this interurban motorway, various problems related to road safety will be solved and, at the same time, the villages of the region will be revitalized and further developed". In addition, Mr. Karousos pointed out that, apart from the residents of the villages of Solea, the citizens of the island, who move from Nicosia to the wider area of Troodos, will also be served.
Finally, the Communes of the Solea Complex expressed their delight for the fact that the interurban motorway has been put, after decades of waiting, on track for implementation, and thanked Mr. Karousos for his practical and constant dedication to the completion of this long-awaited Project. At the same time, the communes of the region expressed their belief that by facilitating their access to and from Nicosia, the rate of urbanization will be reduced and the quality of life of the residents of the wider Troodos area will be upgraded.
