Works on the €53 million Coast Road project, which will improve safety features in the notorious accident black spot, were launched a few days ago. Many parts of the road have been temporarily narrowed by means of concrete blocks and the lanes have been slightly shifted, but the road will soon boast two dual carriageways, central barriers and more clearly defined cycling lanes. The project also includes curve realignment, the widening of asphalt pavement, a large roundabout near the ice-cream kiosk, pedestrian footpaths and crossings, a surface water drainage network and an energy efficient LED road lighting system. Works on the 7.3 km road, spanning from the Qawra junction to the Commonwealth Cemetery near Pembroke, are expected to last 56 weeks.

The Coast Road is notorious for the amount of accidents that occur because of overtaking due to a one-lane system and a total lack of central barriers. On average, 17,900 cars pass through the road each day.

Traffic accidents on this particular road have been on the increase for the past few years: there were 24 accidents in 2010, 26 in 2011 and 29 in 2012. There was, fortunately, only one fatality during this period but there were many others injured.