Delays and planning failures in major infrastructure projects in Cyprus

Recent administrative and planning failures have stalled two major infrastructure projects in Cyprus. The road project connecting Paphos and Polis Chrysochous remains incomplete after the government cancelled the initial contract in January 2023 due to the contractor's demand for an additional 36 million euros and a delivery extension to 2029. Subsequent to this, a new tender process launched in April 2026 failed when the two submitted bids, valued at 124 and 128 million euros, were deemed excessive. The government now plans to issue a new tender in 2027 for a four-lane highway.

In a separate development, the redevelopment of the Larnaca port and marina is facing legal complications. Following the termination of the contract with the private company Kition, the Council of Ministers initially decided that the Cyprus Ports Authority should undertake the project. However, the Legal Service has clarified that this decision was made without prior consultation and that the Authority must participate in a formal public tender process to be considered. This oversight has left the project in limbo, causing significant public frustration in Larnaca while authorities scramble to determine the next legal steps.