**Tender for Paphos-Polis Chrysochous Road Remains Pending**
The tender award process for the first phase of the Paphos-Polis Chrysochous road project is still ongoing, with an update anticipated by the end of July. George Mais, president of the Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Evep), provided this information during a recent statement.
The Ministry of Transport is expected to deliver a comprehensive update on the project's status, which will include details about the Ayia Marinouda-Stroubi section and the planned Stroubi-Polis Chrysochous section of the highway. The tender process for this significant infrastructure project was initiated in April, and since then, two financial bids have been submitted. These bids exceed €120 million, surpassing the project's initial estimated cost of €90.2 million, excluding VAT, by over 30%.
Mais indicated that the evaluation of the submitted bids is projected to be finalized by September. Following this evaluation, a legal opinion will be sought to guide the next steps. If the bids are found to be too high, the two bidders will be invited to negotiate potential reductions in the project cost. Should these negotiations not yield a satisfactory agreement, it is possible that a new tender process could be initiated.
The Paphos-Polis Chrysochous highway is designed to span 31 kilometers and will include the construction of various infrastructure elements such as tunnels, bridges, overpasses, and underpasses to enhance connectivity with the local road network. The first phase of the project focuses on completing the unfinished two-lane section between Ayia Marinouda and Stroubi. Meanwhile, the second phase, which will connect Stroubi to Polis Chrysochous, has yet to be put out to tender.
This project is expected to significantly improve transportation in the region, facilitating better access and potentially boosting local economic activities. As the tender process progresses, stakeholders and local residents are keenly awaiting further developments.