Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg visited ongoing maintenance works on the Qormi-Marsa bridge yesterday evening, where Infrastructure Malta is replacing the road surface of the bridge deck in order to introduce adequate waterproofing protection and new layers of asphalt.
The works are part of a project to consolidate this arterial road structure.
Works to carry out extensive maintenance on this early 1970s road bridge started in 2017 and will be completed by the end of this year. The Marsa-Qormi bridge spans the Marsa-Ħamrun bypass, some six metres over the underlying roundabout at the crossroads between Santa Venera, Qormi and Marsa, next to the Maltapost offices. The bridge includes a 70-metre deck, supported by 40 columns.
Minister Borg stated that, "through the roadworks we are implementing, we are addressing challenges which have been with us for several years and which are the result of an infrastructure which was never given the attention it deserved. The road and transport situation of our country continues to evolve - that is why we are planning and preparing for the future with the rebuilding of several roads."
"It is equally important to maintain the projects we do and the structures which we use. This is not only to ensure efficient infrastructure, but most importantly to reassure our road users that they are using safe and strong structures. Today we are building differently, we are using specialised technologies and structures for our bridges, but we are committed to maintain and implement repairs on existing structures for the benefit of all Maltese and Gozitan people."
"This week, Infrastructure Malta is implementing another phase of this project, as the surface of the bridge deck is being removed to apply a waterproofing material that will shield the reinforced concrete structure from water damage. The bridge has never before been treated with such protection since it was built several decades ago. The deck surface replacement works are being carried out overnight to avoid closing this part of the Marsa-Ħamrun bypass during the day," the government statement read.
Infrastructure Malta and its contractors are applying the protective waterproof membrane over the deck's 1,400 square metre area in a delicate operation including over 25 workers. The four-lane dual carriageway was divided into sections so that each one can be completed in one night, without having to keep the road closed the following morning.
During the first night, earlier this week, contractors removed the existing road surface of the entire deck, cleaned it of any loose materials, and applied a thin layer of asphalt. The road was opened the next morning. On Wednesday evening, workers began applying the specialised waterproofing membrane to the first section of the bridge. Immediately after, the final layers of asphalt were applied so that this part of the road could be reopened in the morning. The process is being repeated several times, on consecutive nights, until the entire deck is waterproofed and asphalted, which is expected to be done by the end of this week.