A transport engineer has proposed banning heavy trucks from Cyprus' motorways during peak daytime hours following the overturning of a lorry on the Nicosia-Limassol motorway that caused extensive traffic delays on Thursday.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), civil engineer and transport specialist Neophytos Zavridis said a practical solution would be to prohibit the circulation of heavy goods vehicles above a certain weight during the busiest hours of the day.
"A simple measure that is applied in many countries is to prohibit the movement of trucks above a certain tonnage from 7am until, for example, 7pm," he said.
Use of alternative road network
Zavridis suggested that trucks transporting construction materials, fuel and other heavy loads could instead use the older secondary road network linking Nicosia and Limassol.
He noted that major motorways carry the largest volumes of traffic and are primarily used by commuters travelling to work and transporting children to and from school.
According to the transport expert, heavy vehicles could continue operating at any time on secondary roads, while restrictions on motorways could be applied between approximately 7am and 5pm.
"It is not reasonable for these vehicles to be using these roads during the busiest hours," he said.
Exceptions could apply
Zavridis added that a mechanism already exists for exceptional cases where heavy vehicles need to travel on motorways during restricted hours.
In such circumstances, special permits can be issued by police and the vehicles can be escorted by patrol cars.
Hours of disruption
The comments follow a major incident on Thursday when a truck overturned on the Limassol-bound carriageway of the Nicosia-Limassol motorway near the Dali industrial area.
A large quantity of gravel spilled across the roadway, forcing the closure of both traffic lanes and causing significant disruption for motorists.
The motorway remained closed from approximately 5.15pm until shortly after 11pm, while traffic was diverted through the old Nicosia-Limassol road via the exit near the Latsia Weighbridge Station.
The incident resulted in lengthy delays and renewed concerns about the impact of heavy vehicles on traffic flow and road safety along Cyprus' busiest motorway corridors.
Source: CNA.
