The current on-going debate about the Gozo to Malta sub-sea road link is bound to continue for as long as the Gozitan proponents are able to maintain this project alive and keep the momentum going for an alternative to the current ferry crossing, which is practically the only ‘permanent’ link between the two islands.

Gozo’s double insularity works against the island in many ways, both positive and negative, and has often been touted as a huge disincentive for businesses to invest on the island. Moreover, the hardships suffered by Gozitans who have to commute to Malta on a daily basis to study or earn a living have to be kept in mind as a major incentive to provide a better link between the two islands.

In fact, the ever-increasing need and frequency for Gozitans to commute to Malta and back has, over the years, significantly improved the ferry service which is practically the main life-line for Gozo. The three vessels built specifically for Gozo Channel are capable of sailing between Malta and Gozo in all but the worse inclement weather, and passengers are adequately served by the newly constructed terminal at Mgarr, Gozo, while the terminal at Cirkewwa, which has been left in a shambles for over 10 years, is bound to be reconstructed in the future.

From a tourist point of view, however, the ferry crossing provides Maltese, and tourists, with a sense of excitement and uniqueness, and this makes the journey to Gozo even more alluring. Moreover, Gozo’s characteristic charms are practically unique and these considerations have to be taken into account when debating a permanent road connection.

Thus, the debate is bound to be based on the needs for Gozitans and businesses, and perhaps the minority who would prefer a sub-sea road link which is fast, efficient and reliable, and the rest of the population, who would prefer the ferry service due to the sense of expectation which this creates.

Moreover, the metaphorical tide is bound to be practically against the investment required to produce a sub-sea road connection between Malta and Gozo, and the economic implications are bound to stifle the project from the outset. Principal among these issues is the cost of creating such an undersea tunnel and the rock formation beneath the waters between the two islands.

Chief among the concerns, however, will be the economic viability of such a project. With a conservative cost estimate put at 150 million euros, government MP Jesmond Mugliett has suggested that the cost could escalate much further and reach up to half a billion euros. A clearer idea of cost will be available once a host of feasibility studies and economic impact assessments are completed, which are de rigueur to determine whether plans for the project should continue beyond the proposal stage.

Without doubt, a permanent road link is required between Malta and Gozo, but perhaps the most important consideration will be the economic impact that such a tunnel would have on various entities and Gozo itself as a destination. The very delicate task of assessing the pros and cons of the proposed sub-sea road link can determine whether Gozo will be able to retain its charm while being permanently connected to Malta for the first time in living memory.