The government was committed to improve the road infrastructure in Gozo with an investment of Lm2 million/EUR 4,658,750 for the 2.4km Ghajnsielem road that should be completed by mid-September, said Roads and Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett yesterday.

Mr Mugliett was speaking during on an on-site visit and was accompanied by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.

The Ghajnsielem road is one of six road construction projects that are co-financed by the EU. It links Mgarr harbour with Victoria and forms part of the European transport network TEN-T.

The network connects the Freeport in the south of Malta with Cirkewwa all the way up to Victoria. The government would have built almost six kilometers of arterial roads with EU finances allocated for the period between 2003 and 2006.

The roads have a complex system of storm water culverts along with two water reservoirs that collect rainwater. This, in turn, will be used in the irrigation system for the trees and plants that will embellish the road.

Mr Mugliett explained that the project also included the design and construction of the Heliport junction and Chambray road, widening of roads, bus lay-bys, road alignment and at least four kms of water mains by the Water Service Corporation.

The waste water sewer was also replaced while the Enemalta electricity cables were shifted into a service culvert that is 700m long, 1.8m high and 1m wide. The cables of GO and Melita will also be placed in the service culvert that has enough space for workers to repair any possible damage without digging up the whole road.

The works were done in three phases: from the Heliport junction to Chambray road, Chambray road to Triq ix-Xatt and, finally, Triq ix-Xatt itself.

Mrs Debono pointed out that the government had improved the infrastructure of Gozo with the construction and resurfacing of over 18km of roads during the past eight years.