Sotiras-Deryneias Road: Yannis Karousos inspected the works on the new road (VIDEO+PICTURES)

Today, the Minister of Transport, Communications and Works Mr. Yannis Karousos, accompanied by the Mayor of Sotiras, Mr. Giorgos Takkas, the Mayor of Deryneia, Mr. Andros Karagiannis, and the Deputy Director of Department of Public Works Mrs. Eleni Kaskiri.

See the shots recorded by the lens of Famagusta.News:

During his presence at the site, Mr. Karousos was informed in detail about the schedules for the implementation of tasks and parts of the project by the contractor. The road in question - long awaited by the citizens of the region - has a cost of €15.6 million including VAT and a duration of 30 months.

It is recalled that the Project was signed in July 2022 and provides for the improvement of a road connecting the two Municipalities of 4 kilometers and the construction of connecting roads with a total length of 2,5 kilometers.

In particular, the design provides for two traffic lanes and a third lane for right-turn movements, where required. At the same time, it includes the construction of a closed rainwater drainage system, the installation of new services, the construction of paved sidewalks, a green lane, bicycle paths, parking areas and pedestrian crossings. At the same time, the project includes on-road bus stops, raised junctions, markings, signaling and street lighting as well as two level roundabouts, as well as other traffic calming measures.

The project is yet another announcement by the President of the Republic that has taken the road to implementation while, at the same time, a perennial request of the local community for a high-quality network connecting these neighboring municipalities is now being satisfied.

In statements after the end of the visit, Mr. Minister said that "one of the things that this government can be proud of is the fact that large and long-awaited projects that local authorities have been claiming for decades are under construction, from Paphos up to Famagusta District. One of these projects is the improvement/upgrade of the Deryneia - Sotiras road, with a budget of around 16 million euros, including VAT and which the two town halls and the entire Famagusta District have been demanding for decades."

"The project is under construction along with many others that are to be implemented throughout Cyprus, such as the Polis Chrysochous - Paphos, Limassol - Saitta road, the Nicosia perimeter road, and Astromeritis - Evrychou. Next month, the construction of the Palaichori - Nicosia highway will be signed, the Larnaca - Dekelia road network will be upgraded, while one of our important projects is the Sotiras - Deryneia road, which is under construction. We are in cooperation with both Municipalities for any issues that may arise or exist, while the District Attorney of the Department of Public Works is in constant communication with them."

Responding to a related question, Mr. Karoussos said that "it has about 4 kilometers of main road network, plus about two kilometers of secondary road network and includes bicycle paths with a two-lane road network, which, where there are right-hand turns, will turn into three lanes, pedestrian crossings, lighting and in general it will be a model road for both road safety and sustainable urban mobility. It is a road that will also connect Deryneia with Sotira with a bicycle path, and someone from Liopetri will be able to cycle to Ayia Napa, Protaras, Paralimni, Deryneia and Sotira," he said. Concluding, he added that "the network will be upgraded and expanded year after year with future projects planned in the Province".