Roadworks resume after workers paid
IMPROVEMENTS to the GirneLefkoşa road have resumed after the end of a stand-off over payments which had stalled them for a week.
A local firm transporting asphalt and other materials to the roadworks for the Turkish contractor which won a tender for the job, downed tools and blocked the site in protest last Tuesday, saying they had not been paid since July.
A Transport and Public Works Ministry spokesman confirmed on Thursday that the workers had now been paid off and were no longer involved.
He said the Turkish firm was now using seven trucks — three of its own and four rented locally — to continue work on the second stage of the project, which covers an area between the turning to St Hilarion Castle and the interchange at the eastern end of the Girne bypass.
Cyprus Today understands no target time has been set for completion of the second part of Turkish-funded repairs, aimed at improving safety standards on the Girne-Lefkoşa dual carriageway, but that the advent of more unsettled autumn weather could play a role in holding up progress.
The first stage began in February and the second in June, with one carriageway closed during each.
The ministry spokesman confirmed: “Works resumed early this week and so far work has been completed on 2.5km out of a total of 4.5km between St Hilarion and Girne [bypass].
“At the moment technical work is being carried out on the remaining 2km section and asphalting will start once that work is completed.”