Infrastructure Malta started the reconstruction of Triq il-Marfa, the 1.4km road link from Mellieħa to Għadira Bay.
This winding connection is one of the first 120 roads that Infrastructure Malta is rebuilding in many localities, as part ofits 7-year, €700 million road network upgrade. Works in Triq il-Marfa commenced this week as soon as Infrastructure Malta's contractors completed several of the 31 roads they had started upgrading in the end of January. From Monday 1 April, the upper part of Triq il-Marfa will be closed to start several other works, Infrastructure Malta said.
The reconstruction of this road will extend between the area next to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieħa and down the hill to the roundabout at Għadira Bay. Works started with the construction of over 400 metres new pavements along part of this road. Where technically possible, the existing narrow pavements are being widened so that they can be accessible to all, the agency said.
At the northern end of this road, Infrastructure Malta is building a new underground storm water system to ease flooding difficulties in several roads in this part of the village, including Triq San Publiju and Triq Ġorġ Borg Olivier. At the same time, the road surface of the first stretch of Triq il-Marfa, from Triq l-Erwieħ (next to the Sanctuary) to Triq l-Għajntal-Mellieħa (half way down the hill) will be removed, so that the agency can lay stronger road foundations and a new asphalt road surface.
The reconstruction of this road also includes the installation of several underground services networks, including cable ducts to reinforce the telecommunication networks providing Internet services to the area's residents.
The upper part of Triqil-Marfa from Triq l-Erwieħ to Triq l-Għajntal-Mellieħa will be closed in both directions from Monday 1st April. Access to homes, shops, restaurants and other buildings further down this road, towards Għadira Bay, will remain openthrough a diversion route from the Mellieha Bypass (Triq Louis Wettinger).
Once the upper part of Triqil-Marfa is reconstructed, it will be opened to road users so that works can continue in the rest of the road, towards Għadira Bay.
Whilst this part of Triqil-Marfa is closed, public transport buses will not be able to follow the scheduled Mellieħa main street route through Triqil-Kbira, Triq Ġorġ Borg Olivier and Triqil-Marfa. Instead, buses 41, 42, 49, 101, 221, 222, 250, XI and N11 will be diverted to the Mellieħa Bypass (TriqLouis Wettinger) and on towards Għadira Bay. The Mellieħa Local Council is organising a main street shuttle passenger van service for commuters whonormally usebus stops along this road, to get them to the temporary bus stop opposite the primary school, in Triq Qasam Barrani. This service will operate at all times, in line with the schedules of the indicated bus routes, until the ongoing works are ready.
Infrastructure Malta is collaborating with all stakeholders to ensure that the reconstruction of Triq il-Marfa is completed as soon as possible, before summer, and with minimal difficulties to the area's residents, road users and businesses.