We have written, on a number of occasions that we do not agree with the Gozo-Malta undersea tunnel project as we feel that the project is not economically or environmentally feasible and investing in a proper fast ferry service would be more ideal.

We certainly do not agree with the current proposal, which completely excludes a mass transit system, and we are not the only ones voicing concern about this.

The Gozo Tourism Association told The Malta Independent earlier this week that the tunnel should be built for a mass underground transport system and not for cars.

GTA believes that the tunnel should look at the matter of connectivity between the two islands in a wider scope, and building a tunnel exclusively for cars does not make sense. Instead, it should incorporate an underground rail system that connects Gozo to centres around Malta, such as Valletta and the Malta International Airport instead of focusing on cars.

GTA CEO Joe Muscat argued that, while the tunnel would address the issue of waiting time at the ferry terminal and bad weather, it does not account for the time one spends driving from Cirkewwa to the central areas. A system incorporating a mass transport system would potentially cut down travelling time from Victoria to the airport to around 20 minutes, he said.

The association is not against the tunnel proposal but it wants things to be done wisely, Muscat said.

He also pointed out that a tunnel that would operate exclusively for cars, thus encouraging people to visit our sister island with their private vehicle, might add to the already growing traffic problem in Gozo.

This argument makes a lot of sense. We are already living in a heavily congested island. Why carry the same problem over to Gozo?

While the tunnel would shorten the time needed to travel between Malta and Gozo, it would possibly be exacerbating the traffic problem in Gozo, especially on popular long weekends, such as Santa Marija, when Gozo is choc a bloc with traffic.

Surely, Gozo cannot accommodate the same road widening projects that are currently underway in Malta.

The sudden influx of traffic and people could also have a negative impact on Gozo, which until now is sold as an idyllic destination.

The Association of Gozitan Employees who work in Malta – meaning the group of people who need the tunnel the most – also warned yesterday that the tunnel should not rely exclusively on the use of vehicles, adding that a mass rapid transit system would better suit the needs of the whole country.

It also suggested that the mass transport system would link Gozo with various strategic points in Malta, such as the Univerisity of Malta, Valletta, Mater Dei Hospital and MCAST.

“A metro system would surely eliminate the need for driving and reduce ‘waiting time’, whilst being more cost-time-effective,” it said, adding that a metro system is also more environmentally friendly.

The association urged the authorities to carry out long-term, non-biased studies that do not favour one solution at the expense of another.

Every time this newsroom asks about the Gozo tunnel progress we are told that the necessary studies are being carried out, and that nothing is being excluded. We truly hope that the abovementioned suggestions are taken on board and that a mass transport system is given precedence over private car use.

If we absolutely must dig a tunnel under the Gozo channel, then we should do it right.

We only have one chance at this. Let us not muck it up.