Crossword Genius

Devious ways to avoid overcrowding in cities (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bypasses

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'overcrowding in cities' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'devious ways to avoid' is the wordplay.
'devious ways' becomes 'es' (east and south - two directions. I am not sure about the 'devious' bit.).
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'avoid' becomes 'by-pass' (bypassing is a kind of avoiding).
'es' put after 'bypass' is 'BYPASSES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bypasses that I've seen before include "Goes over someone's head" , "Goes around" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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