A long list of plans and projects that this Government is determined to implement and to deliver - this is what we have started off with at the beginning of year 2019. The unprecedented €700 million residential roads project - one of the main electoral pledges of this Government – is one of these plans that we are committed to deliver.

The journey to delivering this unprecedented investment started in 2018 when work in setting up the roads agency that would be eventually implementing this investment was initiated. This first step meant that the regulator and the implementer would be separated. Transport Malta would remain the regulator and the new roads agency would be the entity implemented the road works. Two important entities with crucial roles with the main aim of ensuring that our country has the highest quality infrastructure as deserved.

This did not mean that we sat idle and waited for the processes to be completed. We finalised the Kappara Junction Project, started work on the unprecedented €70 million multi-level Marsa Junction Project, and carried out a considerable number of medium-term projects on junctions to improve safety and alleviate traffic. And when Infrastructure Malta was set up with the required resources, we did not wait for the allocation or the finalisation of the tender process for residential roads to begin working. Instead, we carried on with other works on our arterial road network. Today, Malta can enjoy the positive results that have come from projects such as the Marsa-Ħamrun Bypass, the northern part of Aldo Moro Street and parts of TriqDiċembru 13, the two main junctions in Żebbuġ and Mdina Road which connects them, the Express Trailers roundabout in Luqa and improved roads such as Triqil-Linja in Attard and Vjal ix-Xarolla in Żurrieq.

These are being followed by similar large-scale and medium-scale projects that are currently underway such as the Regional Road project, Triqil-Buqana and TriqBormla, known as Taċ-Ċawsli which issituated between Żejtun and Żabbar. Other projects in the pipeline include St Andrews Road, planned works on Triq San Tumas and TriqĦalQormi between Qormi and Luqa and the large-scale long-term Central Link Project that will forever transform the main central route of our country. The latter will effectively reduce traffic congestion by 50% and drastically reduce emissions and improve air quality.

We also started to incorporate changes to the way things are done in our country. These include overnight works to avoid unnecessary inconveniences, constant review and amendments of set plans in order to maximise the benefits of each investment,and planning in alternative ways. Some examples of this include the planned pedestrian and cycling bridges in Gudja, Blata l-Bajda, the Central Link Project and the Marsa Junction Project as well as segregated pedestrian and cycling tracks for TriqBormla and TriqĦalLuqa. We understood that if we wanted a modal shift in our transport culture, we would have to provide the necessary infrastructure to promote it – this is part of the larger picture that this Government has with respect to transport.

But we did not stop with our main roads. We did not stop with the junctions and arteries that used to be notorious for traffic congestion. We rolled up our sleeves and embarked on a mission to directly improve the quality of life of each and every resident in Malta and Gozo, be it an individual who travels on our roads or one who simply wishes to exit their home peacefully and without much ado.

That is why, today, we are thrilled and proud to be able to say that this week we have officially launched the unprecedented residential roads project; a €700 million investment to be carried out across seven years with a pledge to rebuild or resurface as necessary every residential road in our country. A project that each and everyone of us will be able to see, live and benefit from. Residents who have been living for years on roads never tarmacked, residents who have been suffering for years from roads on inferior quality, commuters who have been for decades travelling on roads that are not adapt to this country of ours, a country that is boasting of an unprecedented economic growth.

This Government knows the imperative role that infrastructure has in any country, this government is aware that infrastructure is a pillar for any economy and is ready to deliver an infrastructure that is commensurate with the country’s high-level status. And this is why it allocated €100 million for this endeavour in 2019. However things had to be done differently if we wanted to deliver results to the people. At the end of year 2018, the roads agency issued for the first time a collective call for the first 120 roads to be done this year. This required contractors to prove that they had the resources and skills to finish on time and with the highest standards. As a result, today we have three consortia who are currently carrying out simultaneous works on 31 different roads in 22 different localities; 31 roads which translate into 14 kilometres of roads and 32 kilometres of new underground service networks; 31 roads out of 120 which, with an investment of €53.5 million, will be completed by the end of this year.

In the coming months, Infrastructure Malta will be issuing a similar call to make good use of the remainder of our allocation.

We clearly have a busy year ahead of us; another year which we want to characterise by determination, willingness and delivery. The road to success is a long one, and we tread upon a path unprecedented by our predecessors: a nationwide upgrade of our residential roads, and we are committed to deliver.

 

Ian Borg is Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects