The first meeting of the new Minister of Transport, Communications and Works, Evanthia Tsolaki, with the Mayors of Greater Limassol is expected to be scheduled within the coming days, with traffic congestion high on the agenda of the discussions.
A meeting with the Minister of Transport during September will also be sought by the President of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Andreas Tsoulouftas, who expressed the expectation that the appointment of Limassol-born Evanthia Tsolaki as Minister of Transport will contribute to promoting the necessary road infrastructure projects and addressing Limassol’s traffic problems.
The new Minister has already stated that addressing Limassol’s traffic congestion is a priority for the Ministry and that, alongside being briefed on matters falling under her portfolio, she is closely monitoring the projects and outstanding issues currently underway. As she noted, the initiative of her predecessor, Alexis Vafeadis, for the overall planning of the interventions required in Limassol will continue, as the problem concerns the entire city and the wider area.
Of particular importance now is whether the proposal put forward by Mr Vafeadis to the Local Authorities will also be implemented. This proposal involves the creation of a dedicated project team or the appointment of a coordinator who would systematically monitor the progress of the projects, identify delays and ensure coordination between government services and the Local Authorities. At the meeting held on 24 July, regular meetings to review implementation progress had also been announced.
The second major issue expected to be raised with the new Minister is the financing of the projects. The Mayors had requested clear timelines and proposed that the Northern Bypass be classified entirely as a state project rather than a town-planning project, so that it could be financed in full by the state.
The issue of financing had been referred by Mr Vafeadis for discussion with the Minister of Interior, while the objective was for the projects that would be prioritised to be included in the state budget. The issue now passes to the new political leadership of the Ministry of Transport, with the Mayors waiting to see whether these commitments will be translated into concrete decisions.
At the top of the priorities remains the Limassol Northern Bypass, a project considered crucial for easing congestion on the interurban road and connecting the areas north of the motorway. Its five sections are at different stages of development, with the total cost estimated at between €170 million and €200 million.
At the same time, other projects and interventions are being promoted to improve traffic flow, while studies, designs and land acquisition procedures are underway for certain sections of the Northern Bypass. For Evagoras Lanitis Avenue, the expectation is that the project will be put out to tender in early 2027, while the sections located within the municipalities of Amathounta, Polemidia and Kourion are at different stages of development.
The forthcoming first meeting between Evie Tsolaki and the Mayors of Greater Limassol is therefore expected to serve as the first significant test of the continuation of the planning process. The key issue is whether a permanent coordination and monitoring mechanism will be established, as well as whether the government will adopt the Local Authorities’ request for substantial and, where necessary, full state funding for the projects deemed necessary to address the traffic problem.
Given that the coming months are critical for finalising the projects and incorporating them into the state budget, the meeting with the new Minister takes on particular significance for Limassol.
