Contracts signed for €29.92m phase B3 of the Nicosia perimetre highway

The contract for the construction of Phase B3 of the Nicosia perimetre highway, which concerns the section from the Anthoupolis Refugee Housing to the Nicosia - Deftera road, has been signed.

The project, with a total cost of €29.92 million plus VAT, will start in August 2025 and has an implementation period of 36 months. The project is co-financed by the Cohesion Fund through the 'THALIA 2021-2027' programme by 85%.

According to an announcement by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, Phase B3 includes the construction of a new 2.15 km long, four-lane motorway, with a 2.60m wide elevated separation island between the fronts of the STEP-type safety barriers, construction of a level roundabout at the intersection with the Lakatamia - Deftera road (E902), a bridge over the Pedieos River, two overpasses and connecting roads at the intersection with the Nicosia - Palaichori road (E903) at the entrance to the Anthoupolis Refugee Housing, and rehabilitation of the affected local network roads.

At the northern limit, the highway ends in a deep trench on the "Manta" hill, with the prospect of continuing with the construction of Phase C in the near future.

In addition, other works are included, such as the construction of a stormwater drainage system, the undergrounding of all utilities and telecommunications provider facilities, new installations for the high-voltage transmission network of the Cyprus Electricity Authority, new installations for central water supply pipelines (WDD and SYL), the installation of modern road lighting at junctions, planting - landscaping, irrigation system, road markings and other related works.

The contract was awarded following an open tender process.

General description

The Nicosia Perimetre Highway (A22) extends from the Geri area in the east, passes north of the Dali Industrial Area (Phase D) and connects with the Nicosia-Limassol Highway in the Halepiana area. It continues north of Tseri (Phase A1), passes through Lakatamia (Phases B1, B2 & B3) to the area west of Anthoupolis and through the areas of Deftera, Agioi Trimithia and Paliometochos, ends at the Nicosia-Troodos Highway with which it connects (Phase E). The project also includes (as Phase C) a section of the Nicosia-Palaichori Highway, approximately 7km long, from Anthoupolis to Anageia.

In its entirety, the perimetre highway consists of a road network of motorways approximately 32km long, along with over 23 km of primary and secondary road network roads to which it is connected via 16 interchanges.

Upon its completion, the perimetre highway will peripherally connect the main radial roads of Nicosia, the existing Nicosia-Limassol (A1) and Nicosia-Kokkinotrimithia (A9) highways, as well as the proposed Nicosia-Palaichori (A10) highway.

Objectives and expected benefits

As reported, upon its completion, the Nicosia perimetre highway is expected to significantly enhance the connectivity and accessibility of the capital with the surrounding areas, reducing unnecessary travel and traffic congestion, especially from heavy vehicles between Limassol and Nicosia.

The project aims to reduce travel time and costs, improve road safety and the sustainable development of transport, while providing environmental and socio-economic benefits. It will strengthen the cohesion of the national road network, bridging the current lack of connection between three main highways (A1, A9, A10), while playing a key role in a single, homogeneous transport network, in view of the island's reunification efforts.

The phases of the perimetre highway

As stated, due to the extent and complexity of the project around all free Nicosia, as well as the significant cost of implementing the perimetre (A22), it is necessary to promote its gradual construction.

For this purpose, the study has been geographically divided into a number of Phases, so as to enable the promotion of its construction in stages and with a time horizon of implementation in 2032, through eight separate construction contracts.

Phase A1 of the project, with a construction cost of €61 million plus VAT, has already been implemented and opened to traffic since August 2024, which is a connection of the Limassol - Nicosia highway (across the Dali industrial area) with Tseriou/Strovolou Avenue (across the Lakatamia industrial area). In addition, in the immediate future, the tendering of Phase C of the project, with an estimated construction cost of €85 million plus VAT, is planned, which will constitute the first section of the Nicosia - Palaichori highway (A10) from the Anthoupoli area to Anageia.

Phase B3, which was signed on 3 July concerns the connection of Archbishop Makarios III Avenue (E902) in Lakatamia with the existing Nicosia - Palaichori road (E903) in Deftera.

This section includes a 2.15 km long four-lane highway (A22), approximately 1km of connecting roads, a 160m long bridge over the Pedieos River, a 700m long pile wall, two overpasses of local and connecting roads and two junctions to connect the motorway with the above existing roads.

(Source: InBusinessNews)