Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades warned that traffic congestion in Cyprus is now a top priority, cautioning that major cities could face “blackout” conditions without timely and bold measures.
Speaking on the programme “Protoselido”, he said Limassol alone registers around 13,000 new vehicles every year without corresponding withdrawals, leading to hundreds of thousands of additional journeys on the same road network. He stressed that congestion is not temporary but the result of a decade of accumulated pressure.
Long-term road projects planned
Vafeades defended the need for new road projects, even when they trigger local opposition. He cited the cancellation of the extension of Fytoriou Road to the Limassol motorway, saying it satisfied residents but deprived the city of a critical additional exit.
He referred to the Northern Bypass and other planned projects, with a 20-year implementation horizon and a total cost exceeding €300 million.
He also highlighted plans for a “Third Parallel” motorway north of Limassol, calling it a strategic project to ease pressure on the existing axis and serve mountainous areas. “Road projects are not for tomorrow. They need a 20-year planning. We are building for our children,” he said.
Road safety and enforcement measures
On road safety, Vafeades described the figures for fatal collisions as “tragic” and said the ministry, in cooperation with the Road Safety Council, aims to reduce casualties to a minimum.
He pointed to measures such as motorway camera monitoring and average speed enforcement, which are already in use in other European countries.
Larnaca port and marina future
Regarding the Larnaca port and marina, the minister stressed the need for proper risk management to avoid repeated contract terminations. He noted that the contract was terminated three times over the past 20 years due to contractors breaching key terms, not changes in political will.
He referred to a study prepared by the ministry with the National Wealth Fund and Dutch experts, alongside a request from a shareholder of Kition. He clarified that the Law Office opinion does not support any specific proposal but defines the legal framework for evaluating the request.
He added that the debate should not become personalised, stressing that the key question is whether Cyprus should pursue unified or separate development of the port and marina. The National Wealth Fund has recommended separate, standalone developments.
Logistics strategy and timelines
Vafeades said the port must be part of a broader logistics strategy and warned that, with current infrastructure, it may struggle to serve even the local market within one to two years.
He said a clearer picture will emerge once the financial part of the study is delivered in mid-April. Any process, whether through public-private partnership or other models, will require time for lawful contract procedures, though separate development involving the state could move faster.
State’s position on contract termination
Responding to criticism over the termination of the previous contract, he said the state made a major effort to save the agreement but had no choice when the contractor failed to meet essential obligations such as providing guarantees. He said termination was necessary to protect the public interest.
Also read: Minister warns of 99% gridlock in Nicosia, Strovolos
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