The first layer of tarmac on the current stretch of the reconstruction project of the main road between Victoria and San Lawrenz will be laid by the end of next month, with the remaining finishing work on the same stretch being carried out the following month, Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono said yesterday.

During an on-site visit, Mrs Debono said that towards the end of September, the base course will be laid along the stretch from the Pope John Paul II monument at the Victoria end to the Ta’ Pinu junction, with finishing work being carried out during October.

In the meantime, work is still continuing, with the relocation of services and the widening of the Ghasri junction. The work has involved the excavation of the previous road, widening work in certain areas, the construction of underground service culverts and the construction of the actual road. Services are now being moved into service ducts built below road level. This is being done in order to avoid, as much as possible, future excavation work due to the regular maintenance work that is required.

The Gozo Minister Debono said that the Victoria-San Lawrenz road is not the only one in which the government is investing heavily, citing the call for tenders issued earlier this month for the reconstruction of Ramla Road in Nadur, work on which is due to begin at the end of the summer season.

Mrs Debono said that these two road projects, together with other projects on main roads and residential streets in Gozo, will continue to improve the existing road network on the island, which will have a direct impact not only on the quality of life on Gozo but also on the tourism product the island offers to its visitors.