Minister Ian Borg visited the Marsa Junction Project site on what he described as the first important milestone for this project; the completion of the building of three new lanes in Triq Aldo Moro, which means that the second phase has neared its end. As of next week, these three lanes will be opened to traffic and will temporarily replace the existing northbound carriageway so that this can be rebuilt.
Minister Borg said that from the very start this project clearly showed the difference in the way projects are being planned, with the aim of delivering works in a shorter time than stipulated. He referred to the fact that in this case, one tender was divided into three to be able to begin the necessary preparations for the largest phase of this project, and stressed that had this not be done, this project would not have started yet.
He explained that during the second phase, i.e. in the past months, works included the development of the new lanes as well as of pavements and cycle lanes in Triq Aldo Moro, the rebuilding of the service road in the southbound direction and the realignment and rebuilding from scratch of Triq il-Gvern Lokali.
The minister added that as was done in the Marsa-Ħamrun Bypass project and others, several important distribution services were developed beneath the surface of these new or rebuilt roads. In this case, work was carried out on extensive networks for the distribution of water, electricity, drainage and telecommunication. More than 7 kilometres of trenches and walk-through service culverts were necessary for the transfer of networks which pass through the junction and to develop further infrastructure for future needs. A new 1.7-kilometre storm water system was also built underground.
Borg also explained another important aspect of this project, which is that the newly built roads are being strengthened with layers of geotextile and geogrid, which reduce the impact of subsurface water filtration and increase the lifetime of structures by strengthening road foundations, so that this investment can endure for a longer time.
The minister said that this is a project which is being implemented professionally and which considers the dynamicity of the country’s infrastructure and transport. He referred to the fact that together with the constant monitoring of plans towards constant improvement, further investments have already been committed, such as the €20 million investment towards the Santa Luċija tunnels and the more recent one of €2.5 million which will continue improving connections between Triq Aldo Moro, Triq Diċembru 13 and the Marsa-Ħamrun Bypass; investments which will further extend the benefits of the Marsa-Junction Project.
Borg said that these interventions clearly show that work is being done through a network mentality and not through isolated projects, and the Government is working with the aim of connecting the north to the centre and the centre to the south. He said that this same mentality will lead the Coast Road, the Kappara Junction, the Marsa-Ħamrun Bypass and the Marsa Junction as well as the Central Link Project, the Marsa-Ħamrun Bypass and the Marsa Junction to be two principal routes which take people from any part of the country to any other part without excessive delays and with a lower risk of accidents.
“Our plan does not only cater for today and tomorrow, although we are also thinking of these. Our plan is for the future; for the benefit of generations yet to come, so that they can enjoy an infrastructure which we could only dream of in the past. We are committed to continue planning and implementing projects towards an improved quality of life for all Maltese and Gozitan people,” concluded the Minister.