Various localities in Malta will benefit from the E4 million allocated to road surface and roadside repair work for 2009 by the Network Infrastructure Directorate of the Malta Transport Authority.

The roads were prioritised based on a condition rating system, which considers the severity and extent of numerous criteria, including potholes, cracks, ride quality, traffic volume and poor drainage.

Hot rolled asphalt, due to its resilience to water, will be used for the repair work, which consists of major patching covering stretches of road requiring maintenance.

The work is being closely monitored, and an audit will be conducted at the end to ensure that the work meets the criteria outlined by the Directorate. The roadwork is coordinated with various stakeholders, including the utility corporations, service providers and businesses.

Efforts are in place to publicize any diversion routes or road closures through adverts in the media, and where feasible, work is carried out at night or during off-peak traffic hours to minimise inconvenience to the general public.

The E4 million covers work already carried out on 44 arterial, distributory and link roads until the end of September, as well as roadwork in various localities between October and December.

Before the end of October work will be carried out on nine arterial and distributor roads in Marsa, Msida, Pembroke, Sta Venera and Paola. November and December will see roadwork being carried out in 35 different towns and villages across Malta.