Key Nicosia road opened, to ‘ease traffic congestion’

The formal inauguration of Phase A of the Nicosia ring road – due to ease massive traffic congestion – was marked on Wednesday, in a ceremony attended by officials from Cyprus, Greece and the European Union.

The completion of the first phase of the ring road is expected to significantly ease daily traffic chaos in Nicosia, enhancing road safety and reducing travel times across key routes. The project, valued at approximately €55 million, was jointly funded by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility and national resources.

At the event, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades underlined the road’s long-term benefits for Cyprus.
“This is a crucial developmental project, both for transportation and for the commercial growth of our country. Phase A, covering 7.5 kilometres of four-lane highway with 10 kilometres of connecting roads, was completed despite global and regional challenges that impacted the construction sector,” he said.

The highway links Nicosia-Limassol Road with Strovolos and Tseri avenues, offering alternative routes that relieve traffic on heavily congested urban roads.

Vafeades also stressed the European dimension of the project, praising the collaborative efforts behind the project, including the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport.
Beyond reducing local congestion, according to a statement released by the transport ministry, Phase A of the ring road is projected to cut travel times by 10-15 minutes, ease the entry of vehicles into Nicosia by 10 per cent, and ultimately reduce emissions by encouraging more efficient traffic flow.

“With each completed phase, the ring road will function as a circular link connecting Nicosia’s main highways, reducing by 25 per cent the volume of vehicles entering the capital,” Vafeades said.
“This effect would benefit the wider Tseri and Lakatamia areas by lowering the environmental impact of commuting and boosting road safety standards.”

Greece’s Transport Minister Christos Staikouras, who also addressed the event, stressed the project’s broader geopolitical significance.

“This road strengthens the connection between Cyprus and Greece with the rest of Europe and highlights our common goal of developing resilient, sustainable infrastructure,” he said.

According to Vafeades, the public works department is moving forward with Phase B3, valued at €35 million and set to begin in early 2025.

The minister confirmed that planning for Phase C, worth an estimated €85 million, is also underway. These upcoming stages aim to fully encircle Nicosia, improving access to industrial zones, local communities and agricultural areas in southern Nicosia.

The statement also added that the ring road is expected to offer substantial long-term economic benefits by improving accessibility for commercial and industrial areas around the capital.

“Through this new infrastructure, we’re not only connecting roads but communities and businesses, supporting growth in areas that have long been limited by traffic bottlenecks,” Vafeades said.

One of the most pressing issues that Phase A addresses is the congestion in the Xalepianes and Idalion industrial area, as well as along Strovolos avenue.

Vafeades said that the new highway will directly alleviate these pressures, streamlining traffic flow across several critical junctions.

“The traffic improvements are already being felt in the greater Tseri-Lakatamia area, where we’ve seen fewer delays, better safety, and improved road connectivity,” he said.

Beyond traffic flow, the ring road’s environmental benefits are another important aspect of the project.
“By reducing travel times and emissions, we are actively contributing to the sustainability of our transport network and the broader environmental goals Cyprus is committed to achieving,” Vafeades said, before adding that that the project aligns with Cyprus’ and the EU’s green and sustainable infrastructure initiatives.

“The ring road project aligns with EU goals for regional cohesion. Our ministry is committed to creating an effective, safe, resilient, and sustainable transport network that enhances the economic and social integration of Cyprus within the EU,” Vafeades concluded.