The Planning Authority has issued the permit for the tal-Balal road widening project as proposed by Infrastructure Malta, The Malta Independent is informed.

The road is being widened from two to four lanes. The original plan was to widen the road to three lanes, with a fourth lane planned as a future upgrade. However, it was later decided to proceed with the construction of two new lanes at one go.

The Tal-Balal widening project, announced by Transport and Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg at the beginning of August, proved to be controversial because the work started before a planning permit was in place. Road works do not usually require a permit if the same footprint is retained, but in this case the project is encroaching on adjacent land due to the widening needs.

The Malta Independent had reported at the beginning of September that the relevant planning permits (for a four-lane road) had been filed and were being processed. The plans were prioritised “in view of the urgency of the project, citing national road transport requirements and improved access to the nearby Mater Dei Hospital and the University of Malta”.

The PA has now approved the permit.

The government had said that the 1.9 kilometre road had exceeded its capacity many years ago.

Shortly after the project was announced, contractors dismantled the road’s central strip to make way for a new road alignment. Since then, new retaining walls have been built, to accommodate the new lanes.

The project also includes the upgrading of the road’s four roundabouts, new bypass lanes and increased approach lanes. A new street lighting system and improved crash barriers will also be installed once the new central strip is built.

Infrastructure Malta claims that through this investment, travelling times through this road are expected to be reduced by up to 30 per cent. It also says that the improved flows will lead to reduced vehicle emissions in the area.