The new motorway from Astromeritis to Evrychou will be ready in the next two years, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades said on Tuesday.

Works began in October 2022 and are expected to be completed by October 2025, with a budget of nearly €90 million.

Vafeades visited the worksite on Tuesday, accompanied by president of the House transport committee MP Marinos Moushiouttas and public works officers, where he was informed on progress and how it would improve the connectivity of the mountainous areas of Troodos with Nicosia and enhance the local economy and quality of life.

The project, he said, would allow easy access to work, education and health.

The Astromeritis-Evrychou motorway was part of a larger project to see the existing highway leading to the mountains reach Troodos, which should be completed by 2029.

The minister said works were proceeding according to the timeframe and that efforts would be made to cover the time lost due to the cement workers’ strike.

“I hope they manage to. Experience so far indicates that these contractors work in an organised and coordinated manner and the project is proceeding according to the timeframe. This gives us hope that it will continue this way for the rest of the time until the completion of the project,” he said.