On 6 November 2024, the European Commission and the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Works of the Republic of Cyprus inaugurated the first phase of the Lefkosia South Orbital Motorway, situated at the entrance of the island’s capital. 

The newly constructed four-lane motorway is located between the Lemesos and Tseri junctions (phase A) and received nearly €44 million in EU funding from the CEF Transport programme, covering 85% of the total project costs. The project also built all necessary bridges, intersections and grade separated junctions. 

To celebrate the important milestone, Mr. Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General for Investment, Innovative and Sustainable Transport, and Mr. Nikolaos Isaris, Acting Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus attended the opening ceremony in the presence of Mr. Alexis Vafeades, the Minister of Transport, Communication and Works in the Republic of Cyprus. 

Speaking in the margins of the event, Herald Ruijters, Deputy Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission said: 

The inauguration of Section A of the Lefkosia South Orbital Motorway marks a significant step forward in Cyprus's transport infrastructure. This project will relieve congestion, enhance connectivity, increase road safety, and provide lasting benefits to residents, improving daily commutes and driving economic growth across the region.

Mr. Nikolaos Isaris, Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, said: 

Projects like the Lefkosia South Orbital Motorway are essential for sustainable transport and liveable cities that respect the environment and the daily life of citizens. The Lefkosia South Orbital Motorway will contribute to the reduction of environmental pollution and noise as well as traffic congestion and associated delays in daily commuting by Cypriots to and from Lefkosia.

The Lefkosia South Orbital Motorway will form a ring road around the southern part of Cyprus' capital and interconnect three motorways of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) network. Once completed, it will divert road traffic from the urban area and reduce environmental pollution and noise, as well as traffic congestion and journey delays.

About CEF Transport and CINEA

Since 2014, CEF Transport has supported over 1,500 projects with a total amount of €37.5 billion. Under the 2021-2027 programming period, €25.8 billion has been made available for grants to co-fund TEN-T projects in EU Member States. CINEA supervises the implementation of CEF Transport projects and manages the promotion and evaluation of the calls.