The Kappara junction project will be completed on time and will be fully functional by the end of this year, a spokesperson from the Transport Ministry has told The Malta Independent on Sunday.

While the management of traffic during the project has been well-received by the public in general, over the last few weeks serious congestion has began to form along the regional road and the surrounding road network, creating traffic jams throughout the day. This, along with the wider construction taking place, had raised concerns that the project had fallen behind schedule.

"The Kappara project will be fully functional by the end of this year," said the spokesperson. "Vehicles will be able to use the junction and flyovers to access all directions from all directions. They will be able to go from Paceville towards Valletta, Gżira or San Ġwann and the same applies to traffic from the other direction. Despite a few setbacks due to inclement weather, the project will be completed on time."

Upon completion, focus will turn to the Marsa multi-level road junction. Construction on the project, which is expected to cost €70million (€40 million of which is EU-funded) began on 13 November, with the demolition of part of Marsa industrial estate, which will make space for the upgraded road network.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said recently at a Gvern li Jisma event that the project would be finished in four years, but reiterated that the duration of the construction work should not be a cause for concern, as the highest standards of traffic management and planning will be employed.

The projects are accompanied by a wider initiative to significantly improve the sub-standard road network in Malta and Gozo, with this year's budget recently announcing that a Roads Agency is to be established to oversee an investment of €700 million.