Cyprus's Transport Ministry has confirmed that two competing bids have been received for the design and construction of a major new highway section linking Paphos and Polis Chrysochous, with the lower offer coming in at just under €125 million.
The Bids
Construction firm Cyfield submitted the lower of the two offers, pricing the project at €124,850,000. The competing tender came from Araco, acting in a joint venture with Geostroy, which bid €128,935,480. Neither bid has yet resulted in a contract award, as both proposals must first undergo a thorough evaluation process.
The ministry confirmed the tender concerns "the completion of the design and construction" of the first phase of the highway, stretching approximately 15.5 kilometres between Ayia Marinouda and Stroumbi.
Project Scope and Engineering Works
The new road will initially carry two traffic lanes, with provision built in for future expansion to four lanes. It will connect with the existing Limassol–Paphos motorway at Ayia Marinouda via a turnpike at its starting point, and will feature a junction at the site of the planned Tsada interchange. A terminal roundabout beyond Stroumbi is also included, with a future connection towards Kathikas anticipated at that location.
The route involves significant engineering works, including:
- Five bridges and two tunnels
- Four overpasses and twelve underpasses
- Stormwater drainage systems and street lighting
- Relocation or upgrading of public utility services
- Additional related motorway infrastructure
The project forms part of longstanding plans to improve road connectivity between the Paphos district and the northwestern coastal town of Polis Chrysochous.
Procurement Process
The ministry stated that the tender was conducted through an open procedure, with the contract intended to be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous offer — determined by the lowest price submitted.
Both bids came in significantly above the project's original estimated cost of approximately €90 million. The ministry attributed the difference to "broader increases in construction costs and materials in recent years."
What Happens Next
The submitted proposals will now be assessed in detail by the relevant authorities, who will verify that each bid meets the technical and administrative requirements specified in the tender documentation. Once the evaluation is complete, the successful bidder will be selected and invited to proceed with the project.
