The competent Ministries and Limassol local authorities are focusing on the implementation of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) and the construction of the entire northern bypass of Limassol to substantially alleviate the intense traffic congestion problem in greater Limassol, after its exponential increase at the beginning of the school year. Limassol Mayor, Nikos Nikolaides, is emphatic that there is no other way than the SUMP and the reduction of the use of the private vehicle, which exceeds 92% in Limassol and renders any measures taken effectively futile.
The ten-year budget for the implementation of SUMP for greater Limassol exceeds €390 million. In addition to the new Public Transport, the Ministry of Transport has planned a network of bicycle paths on main arteries, covering some 35 km. The Local Authorities are responsible for the construction of bicycle paths and lanes in the secondary network, which, according to the Mayor of Limassol, should be implemented in the next two to five years.
Regarding the northern bypass which he described as a "solution’’ to the traffic congestion problem, the Minister of Transport said that Public Works Department will complete the masterplan for the entire road as soon as possible, and once it is approved by the local authorities, the implementation procedures will be launched. As for Evagoras Lanitis street, which will enable the residents of Agia Fyla to access Giannos Kranidiotis, it is expected that pressure will be exerted by the Limassol Municipality on the involved services/departments to present their final plans, so that relevant tenders for the actual construction work can be announced within the year 2023.
Regarding the flyover connection between Kostis Palamas and Elli Lampeti streets, Yiannis Karousos confirmed that it will be implemented and that it will be for use only by buses, bicycles and motorcycles, so that private vehicles stay off densely-populated neighborhoods. In the meantime, ‘’smart’’ traffic lights will be installed at the remaining roundabouts (i.e. in addition to the ones already in place) of the bypass as well as at another 40 "light-controlled" crossings throughout Limassol, with tenders due to be announced at the beginning of November. Of course the main issue at stake, is to finally move quickly with the implementation of the projects, which, as the local authorities complain, are being delayed by "unacceptable bureaucratic procedures".
