North Cyprus Inform

First section of bypass on course for completion by end April

The first five kilometres of the Girne bypass will be completed in April "if all goes well", its builders I laid this week — exactly a year after work began.

Contractors Metz Ltd say the Brat section of the long-awaited dual carriageway will be finished within weeks but work on the next section is on hold because of ongoing legal wrangles over land expropriation. Co-owner of Metz Levent Eray said: "The construction of the underpass will be completed in 15 to 20 days. Asphalting of the road will be completed in April if all goes well."

Director of the Highways Depart¬ment Aydin Kahyalar said the first 5km section would be opened no later than May.

Studies are under way to deal with the envisaged traffic congestion near Girne American University once the bypass is partially open, according to Mr Kahyalar.

However, work cannot go ahead on the rest of the bypass because of an outstanding legal case over the compulsory purchase of land, between Girne American University and the end of the route at the Girne-Lapta main road.