Limassol’s Akti Olympion is being upgraded with infrastructure for boat owners

The Municipality of Limassol is moving ahead with the construction of a new wharf next to the boat ramp at the Akti Olympion site while also restoring the existing boat ramp.

The project has secured the Environmental Department's approval following consultation with the competent authorities and after receiving opinions from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, the Cyprus Ports Authority, the Department of Public Works and the Forestry Department.

Based on the environmental impact assessment study, which was filed in April 2021, the cost of the project is estimated at €300,000.

Anti-slip and subsidence treatment

The project concerns the restoration of the boat lift/launch ramp at Akti Olympion and the construction of a new wharf next to the existing ramp, as well as the dredging of the marine area around the wharf, in an area of ​​34 X 34 meters.

The project falls within a port area for which the licensing authority is the Cyprus Ports Authority. The restoration of the ramp is being done to reduce the slipperiness of its sloping part and to deal with subsidence.

Infrastructure for boat owners

According to the environmental opinion, the construction of the wharf will be for the purpose of the temporary mooring of small boats. The restoration of the ramp is considered to be something useful for boat owners so they can tow their boats on trailers/trolleys safely. The infrastructure is also considered to be necessary, since it is used daily by boat owners.

The project is located in a fairly developed tourist area. The barren part of the ramp falls into a coastal state block, in the parish of Neapolis. In terms of urban planning, the parcel falls into Protection Zone Da2 (green spaces, parks, sports fields, forest land, isolation lanes, protection of topographic features, etc.).

Behind the ramp to the north, towards the land, is 28th of October street, at a distance of 65 meters from the sea, and a pedestrian and bicycle path passes along its southern border. A strip of land with flora consisting of pines, eucalyptus and acacias located further south on the border of the pedestrian-bicycle path, 25 meters wide adorns the coastal character of the area.

To the east of the ramp, at 15 meters, is the Vathia River estuary and further east are the two breakwaters perpendicular to the sea in front of the Crowne Plaza hotel unit, which is the nearest building and which is 65 meters to the north-east. At 455 meters to the northeast is the "Dasoudi Limassol" state forest.

The area to the west, at a distance of about 215 meters from the dock, is the bathing beach. Towards the sea side, south of the project there are sections of breakwaters, arranged parallel to the coast.

Railing to protect the public

The works include the wharf, the second section of the project which will be 15 meters long and 2 meters wide, and will be located to the west of the existing boat launch/launch ramp. The wharf will be constructed 1.5 meters west of the existing boat launch/launch ramp.

The pillars of the dock will be metal and will be nailed to the seabed. Its floor will be wooden at +0.80 meters above mean sea level (MSL). The wooden floor will be supported on horizontal metal beams which will be based on metal pillars.

The wharf will be equipped with buffers and buoys.

It is clarified that for the protection of the public around the perimeter of the dock there will be a railing 1.10 meters high with intermediate chain openings for passage between the dock and boats. There will also be solar lighting poles on the wharf. In the area of ​​the wharf, dredging will be carried out at dimensions of 34m x 34m and to a depth of 1.5 meters.

(Source: InBusinessNews)