Roadworks chaos
NEW restrictions on vehicles using the Girne Değirmenlik mountain road are under discussion, as traffic on the route was augmented by the onset of extensive roadworks on the main Girne-Lefkoşa road, and a new crash on the notorious stretch saw two lorries overturn.
Four drivers and a “jeep” passenger escaped serious injury in the collision on Monday, in which an articulated gravel truck crashed into and dragged the “jeep”, overturning
before hitting a second articulated truck from the rear. The second truck hit a rental car before also overturning.
With work under way on the mountain road, site of a 2016 triple fatal minibus accident, it emerged this week ministers are considering restrictions on private cars using the route during the project, which includes the renovation of the existing surface as well as construction of new sections.
However more drivers took to the mountain pass this week when contraflows put in place for roadworks on the main road past St Hilarion Castle caused heavy tailbacks.
The two-stage renovation of the Girne-Lefkoşa dual carriageway was forecast to take three months but will now be speeded up by night work.
Lorries over five tonnes were barred from the 4.5km section yesterday.
Meanwhile drivers were warned to exercise caution and obey signs as infrastructure works began to the Girne underpass and the stretch to St Hilarion.
As moves were announced this week to unblock road development with new compulsory purchase orders Transport and Public Works Minister Tolga Atakan unveiled a 2018 programme of roadworks.
He said 28 road projects were on the agenda, including completion of the Hamitköy bypass and a solution for longdemanded Lavinium site access as part of the Girne-Lefkoşa road project, which includes alterations to the Ciklos bends and Boğazköy junction. Part of the Güzelyurt-Lefke dual carriageway, from Güzelyurt to Doğanci, is set to be opened to traffic from the third week of March.
Drivers were urged to put up with delays during much-needed safety and lighting infrastructure upgrades and asphalting. A weighbridge to check heavy lorry loads is also promised this year.