Along with the technical planning for the Malta-Gozo tunnel which is progressing at a fast rate, Minister Ian Borg announced that preparation of the tender documents necessary to issue the public call for the project is currently underway.

Borg was replying to a parliamentary question made by PN MP Chris Said on Wednesday.

The chosen tenderer will be responsible for the management of the project as well as the actual digging and building of the tunnel. All other services related to this project will also form part of the tender.

During the budget speech, last month, it was announced that geological studies for the zone had been finalised and will form the basis for the design of the tunnel.

Over the last weeks, the result of these studies have been discussed with several experts, entities and the concerned authorities and was now being finalised.

Environmental impact assessments required for development permits of such a large project are also being done. Topographic surveys of the zones where the portals of the tunnels are being proposed in Malta and Gozo are being carried out.

Other economic studies are underway which are necessary to ensure that this new infrastructure will be used in the most sustainable manner.

Borg said that in a project of this size, the planning stage is an integral part of the realisation of the whole project. After this stage of the project is finished, including the technical studies, the procedure for the study and evaluation for development permits from the authorities concerned, as well as choosing the necessary contracts by means of a public call, the infrastructural work on the tunnel will commence.