Specific procedures remain to be completed in order to pave the way for the announcement of the tender for the execution of Phase A2 of the Limassol–Saittas highway, from Palodia to Monagri, valued at 70 million euros. The launch of the project was announced by the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, during his recent visit to Limassol. According to information obtained by “Entrepreneurial Limassol” from a well-informed source, the preparation of the construction plans must be finalized — a process that, as we were told, is at a very advanced stage.
At the same time, certain responses are still expected from public utility authorities regarding their infrastructure along the planned highway. The plans and relevant documents concerning expropriations were recently completed by the Department of Lands and Surveys and, after being reviewed by the Public Works Department, will be sent back to the Department of Lands and Surveys for the preparation of the corresponding expropriation tables. The process of issuing expropriation decrees will then follow.
However, the most significant pending issue concerns the Department of Environment, which has requested additional information and a report on the Natura area in the community of Alassa and the Kouris River. A meeting on the matter was held between the Departments of Environment and Public Works. Our sources from the Ministry of Transport indicated that the requested data will be sent to the Department of Environment within the next few days. After that, the Department of Environment's final position is expected, which — as explained to us — the Ministry of Finance must have in hand in order to give the green light for the project's procedures to move forward.
The Director of the Department of Environment, Dr. Theodoulos Mesimeris, told “Entrepreneurial Limassol” that the project has been reviewed by the Environmental Authority and that an Environmental assessment has been issued. He added that the assessment states that up to Alassa, the project should be implemented as originally designed, subject to specific terms and conditions. At the same time, the assessment notes that from Alassa onward, reconsideration is necessary: available alternatives should be examined and the issue revisited with a new study and substantiation.
Regarding the section beyond Alassa, further examination is currently being conducted by the responsible officers of the Public Works Department, “to reassess the route, the road’s design — whether it will consist of four high-speed traffic lanes or three — basically, to consider all available options,” explained the Director of the Department of Environment.
Dr. Mesimeris added that, based on the existing permit, and up to the point of Alassa where the first approval was granted, the current discussion focuses on the specific issues in collaboration with the Public Works Department. “Specifically, the discussion concerns the implementation of the terms set in the Environmental assessment, to ensure mutual understanding and to avoid any issues during the project’s execution that would fall outside the approved terms,” he explained.
“There is an Environmental assessment which clearly outlines the terms and conditions for the project up to Alassa,” emphasized Mr. Theodoulos Mesimeris. It should be noted that, regarding Phase A1 of the Limassol–Saittas road, an outstanding issue still remains concerning the roundabout intended to be constructed in front of the private school The Island. As we were told by the Public Works Department, in accordance with the terms of its permit, the private school must submit plans, documents, and a study to the Department for approval.
