After decades of discussions and planning, the road connecting Deryneia with Sotira is now delivered to traffic at noon today, being one of the most important road and urban infrastructure projects implemented in recent years in the province of Famagusta.
In addition to its importance as an infrastructure project, the Deryneia – Sotiras road is of particular value for the social and developmental cohesion of the free province of Famagusta. The two areas have been linked over time through common economic, social and cultural activity and the upgrading of the road connection enhances the daily movement of citizens, workers and visitors.
The project, with a total cost of €13.3 million plus VAT, is not limited to the creation of an upgraded road axis with a length of 3.6 kilometers. It also includes a secondary road network of about 2 kilometers, a bicycle path, sidewalks, bus stops, underground utility networks, new roundabouts, and modern street lighting.
The project also incorporates important elements of sustainable mobility and road safety, with pedestrian crossings, elevated junctions, and modern road lighting, enhancing the possibility of safer and higher quality travel for all road users. At the same time, the creation of a bicycle path and upgraded sidewalks contributes to the improvement of everyday life and accessibility in the area.
However, behind the final result is a particularly complex technical project, which faced significant challenges during its implementation. According to the data of the Department of Public Works, during the works, additional earthworks occurred due to the unsuitability of the existing soil, the need to expand the stormwater drainage system, as well as the relocation and reconstruction of wastewater infrastructure.
The environmental dimension of the project is also of particular importance. As part of the construction, three retention lakes with a total capacity of approximately 40,000 cubic meters were created, along with oil separators and spillways, with the aim of protecting the Paralimni Lake basin and the proper management of the rainwater of the area.
At the same time, the upgrading of the road is of particular importance for the local economy of the area of Kokkinochoria, an area with intense agricultural activity and significant production of agricultural products. Improving road connectivity facilitates the movement of products and enhances accessibility between local communities and urban and tourist centers in the province of Famagusta.
At the same time, the project is part of a wider plan to upgrade the infrastructure of the free province of Famagusta, with an emphasis on safe movement, sustainable mobility and the improvement of the daily lives of citizens.
In a province that continues to live with the consequences of the Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation, infrastructure projects such as this are of particular importance, as they enhance the development, daily life and prospects of the local communities of free Famagusta.
The new road connection is expected to cater to both residents and visitors to the area, enhancing connectivity between municipal districts and contributing to the further development of the area.
