The fourth phase of the Larnaca-Dhekelia coastal road redevelopment, which covers the tourist area of Pyla, appears destined to remain on hold for years to come.
According to Pyla Community Council President Simos Mytidis, there has been no meaningful progress on the project, confirming reports previously published by Politis that the section of road running through Pyla's coastal area to the boundaries of Dhekelia will remain in its current form, with just two traffic lanes.
Speaking to Politis, Mytidis said not even the project's construction plans have been prepared.
"Ten years ago, I attended a meeting of the relevant parliamentary committee where the timelines for the third and fourth phases of the Larnaca-Dhekelia road redevelopment were discussed," he said.
"At the time, we were told that Phase III would begin in 2019 and be completed by 2022. Once that phase was finished, the necessary studies and construction plans for Phase IV would follow."
Instead, Phase III is nearing completion almost four years later than originally scheduled.
"Based on the information we have received as a community council, it seems difficult even for the construction tender of Phase IV to be issued before 2030," Mytidis added.
While the existing road through Pyla's tourist area remains in good condition, it lacks many of the features expected of a modern road network serving luxury hotels and tourism businesses, including service roads and modern cycling infrastructure.
April meeting
The future of Phase IV was discussed during a meeting held on 17 April at the Department of Town Planning and Housing, attended by representatives of the Larnaca Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the local tourism company.
During that meeting, officials were informed that the existing PCN study would first need to be updated before the Public Works Department could proceed with preparing construction plans.
The overall conclusion was that the final phase of the coastal road upgrade is unlikely to enter the implementation stage in the immediate future.
Meanwhile, the third phase of the project, covering more than three kilometres of the Oroklini beachfront area, is expected to be handed over within the coming days, at least insofar as the main road is concerned.
The associated service roads are expected to be completed by the end of October, when the area's construction-site appearance should finally disappear.
Central square project moving ahead
Unlike the uncertain future of Phase IV, the redevelopment of Pyla's central square and village centre appears to be progressing.
According to Mytidis, construction is expected to begin during 2027.
The construction plans have already been completed and, despite delays linked to the underground relocation of utility services, particularly those of the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC), the tender process is expected to be launched before the end of this year.
Mytidis also noted that €700,000 has been earmarked in the state budget for the project.
