The first phase of the first lot has already started. This involves work on Triq Buqana from the roundabout junction at Tal-Qlejja, Mgarr, to the junction with Triq tal-Madonna, Ta’ Qali. This is around 1.2 kilometres long. Traffic has been diverted through Triq tal-Madonna, which has recently been tarmacked.

This phase is expected to be completed within 24 weeks. Asked how Malta will make sure that work will not take excessively long, as is the case with the absolute majority of road work carried out in the past, Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett said the Maltese government will monitor the work very closely.

The minister reiterated that the repercussions if the time-limit is not respected would not only mean inconvenience for residents but also to Malta. He added that the government was not bound to retain the contractors chosen for any phase so that if the time limits are not met or anything else goes wrong, the government is free to change the contractor.

The second lot will see work on the road which stretches between the Mtarfa junction and the De Rohan Gate, up to the junction to Siggiewi. The final lot will include work on the road which from the Siggiewi junction stretches along Mdina Road in the direction of Qormi. Part of this project will also include the road running from Qormi Road in Luqa to Luqa Road in Qormi, passing through the Hal-Farrug junction and the junction of the Cargo Terminal.