Larnaca to benefit as part of trans-European transport network

Larnaca has been designated as a major urban centre for cofinancing purposes by the European Union and many prospects for large and important projects related to the trans-European transport network are increasing, Transport Minister Yiannis Karousos said on Monday.

Speaking at a meeting in Dherynia, Karousos said that during an EU transport minister meeting, they made significant progress for Cyprus in terms of the trans-European networks, which is set to better connect EU countries by land, sea and air.

“An important success is that Larnaca has been included as a major urban centre in the Trans-European Transport Network for funding purposes. It was something we fought for, tried to get and claimed, given that at first it was not acceptable since any city to be designated as an urban centre must exceed 100 thousand people in population,” he said.

However, Larnaca was included as it has the main airport of the country, and it is an important connector with the capital.

He added that they also managed to get approval for a motorway that will connect Palaichori with Kyperounda.

Karousos was in Dherynia to see how the road between Dherynia and Sotira is being upgraded.

The mayors of Dherynia and Sotira, Andros Karayiannis and Yiorgos Takkas, respectively, informed him about the project to improve the road.

Karousos was informed in detail about schedule of works and parts of the project by the contractor. The road in question has a cost of €15.6 million plus VAT.

The road, which is funded by European Commission funds and is set to be completed within 30 months.

The project was approved in July 2022 and foresees the improvement of a road connecting the two municipalities with a length of 4km and the creation of connecting side road with a total length of 2.5km.