The road map of the projects that are considered critical for dealing with the traffic problem of Limassol was presented today (24/7) by the Ministry of Transport to the mayors of the major urban area of the city, during a broad meeting held in the Municipal District of Agios Athanasios.
In addition to the Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeadis and the mayors, the meeting was attended by officials and heads of government departments, including the Department of Public Works, as well as transport engineers.
During the meeting, a comprehensive list of projects was presented in order of priority, which can contribute substantially to the decongestion of the road network of Limassol. Maps were also presented with the road and urban projects being promoted, the plans for the installation of new smart traffic lights (UTC), traffic detectors and parameterization of the operation of traffic lights, as well as compensatory projects linked to large private developments.
As revealed in today's publication by "F", the total budget of the proposed road and urban planning projects for Limassol is €493 million.
Traffic lights – UTC, detectors, customization.
Vafeadis: "The traffic problem cannot be solved with piecemeal moves"
In his statements after the meeting, the Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeadis stressed that for the first time a comprehensive list of projects that are in the process of maturation and promotion was presented to the mayors.
"The traffic problem of Limassol cannot be solved with fragmented moves. For the first time, we presented a comprehensive list of projects, identified the priorities and a continuous effort of cooperation and coordination between the Local Government and the state begins," he said.
Mr. Vafeades described the completion of the Limassol Northern Bypass as a top priority. Asked about the mayors' suggestion that the project be treated as a single urban project, in order to speed up the procedures for its implementation, he replied that this is one of the main demands raised at the meeting.
"Yes, it was one of the main demands. This is considered to be holding back projects. I have undertaken to discuss the issue so that we can see how we can handle it," he said.
At the same time, it acknowledged that viability studies and required approvals continue to cause delays in the implementation of important projects. As he said, he will discuss the issue with the Minister of Finance, in order to consider either finding a solution in the existing framework or preparing a single viability study for all projects, instead of examining each case in a piecemeal manner.
The Minister also adopted the concerns of the mayors that without immediate interventions the traffic problem will worsen significantly in the coming months.
"Limassol is a living organism that is growing at a very fast pace. If immediate and effective measures are not taken, the city risks being in a state of traffic suffocation," he noted.
As he explained, the planning is divided into two axes: Immediate projects that can give quick breathing space to the road network and large strategic projects. He made special reference to the installation of smart traffic lights, estimating that they can reduce congestion by 10% to 15% and be put into operation within the next year.
Mr. Vafeadis also announced that a new meeting of all stakeholders will be held in early September, with the aim of monitoring progress and accelerating the implementation of the projects.
Referring to the planned development of the mall in Limassol, he noted that investors have been asked to undertake specific compensatory road projects, so that the impact on traffic is maintained, at least, at current levels.
Urban planning and roads – prioritization.
Mayor of Limassol: Priority for the Northern Bypass
The Mayor of Limassol, Yiannis Armeftis, described the meeting as important, pointing out that for the first time specific priorities are recorded and actions are coordinated between the Ministry, the Department of Public Works, the municipalities and the communities.
As he mentioned, the first priority is the completion of the Northern Bypass, as the existing intercity road has now reached its limits and the immediate start of work is required. At the same time, he noted that the timetable for Evagoras Lanitis Avenue remains at the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027, underlining, however, that the project will only pay off if all its individual sections are completed.
Mr. Armeftis added that the meeting also prioritized short-term traffic interventions on key roads, such as Elli Lambeti, Kostis Palamas and Idomeneos streets, as well as major projects, such as the connection of Franklin Roosevelt Avenue with the coastal road and the second and third phases of Agia Fyla.
Small immediate interventions, improvements, upgrades.
Mayor of Amathus: Acceleration of procedures is required
For his part, the Mayor of Amathus, Kyriakos Xydias, described as positive the fact that for the first time specific priorities were set and a realistic roadmap was drawn up, instead of an extensive list of projects without a clear timetable.
At the same time, he expressed concern about the delays that are still caused by the procedures between the competent services, the studies and the approvals, expressing reservations about whether major projects will be able to be implemented within the current timetables.
Mr. Xydias underlined that the completion of the Northern Bypass and the vertical connections is the only way to decongest Limassol, noting that the current bypass now functions as the main urban road, since the residential development has been extended north of the motorway.
"Only with the completion of the Northern Bypass and the vertical connections will Limassol be given substantial breathing space," he concluded.
