Traffic congestion at the Konia junction, marking the start of the Paphos-Limassol motorway, has evolved into a major challenge for local authorities in Paphos.
Whilst previous years saw traffic management issues concentrated in the renovated commercial and historic centre, as well as near educational facilities at the city’s northern exit, the Konia junction has recently experienced unprecedented congestion lasting up to 12 hours daily.
The situation has reached critical levels by Paphos standards, with vehicles either at a standstill or moving at a snail’s pace.
The congestion affects multiple directions, including traffic from the Hospital and Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue towards the motorway or Northern Bypass, as well as vehicles entering Tassos Papadopoulos and Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenues.
The junction, which had not posed significant concerns prior to the completion of major renovation works in Paphos, is now deemed potentially hazardous for traffic, with constant risk of collisions due to the challenging vehicle flow patterns.
The daily gridlock, excluding Sundays, has left authorities struggling to manage the situation whilst testing motorists’ patience.
In response to the rapidly deteriorating conditions, police officers have maintained a daily presence at the junction to facilitate traffic flow, though delays and queues remain unusually severe for Paphos.
The problematic junction adds to a growing list of congested areas across the city’s road network, including the silos road from Mesogi to Paphos Hospital, Tassos Papadopoulos Avenue from “Biofos” to the Electricity Authority, and the avenues leading to the commercial centre.
