Over the past eight years our country went through significant economic and social growth which made efficiency a natural goal and an essential requirement. Increased activity and increased volume of people highlighted the need for a quantum leap in our road system, the alternatives present for transportation and their safety.
European funds are proving to be instrumental in delivering better air quality by reducing traffic congestion and emissions while successfully implementing upgrades to our road network which for decades had yearned for modernisation.
A mighty investment of €49m under the Connecting Europe Facility for transport saw the timely implementation of the project in Marsa. The Marsa Junction is a vital artery for traffic flow across the island, as it connects the southern part to the rest of the country, amid very limited alternatives. Together with the Marsa Junction, the Santa Lucija underpass is an invaluable intervention easing the flow to and from the southern part of Malta, removing another infamous obstruction. The delivery of these projects left an immediate positive impact on traffic movements across the whole island, generally improving the quality of thousands of lives. Separate allocations of cohesion funds were behind the Central Link project, also resulting in eliminating bottlenecks and filtering of traffic flows in the central part of the island. Infrastructure Malta’s efficiency and adherence to stipulated timeframes, essential in the use of EU funds, was remarkable.
Better roads are simply not enough to improve the air quality. Our goal is to encourage a modal shift and through multiple interventions make it possible for thousands to renounce to the obsessive use of private vehicles and switch to cleaner alternatives that are equally efficient. Commuters deserve a choice between equally safe and efficient alternatives – whether to taker the bus, to walk or take the bike.
In practice these interventions mean that roads no longer belong exclusively to drivers and riders of cars, vans and trucks. We are making roads available and accessible to everyone.
Building pedestrian bridges is one important way European funds are making roads safer for everyone, in turn encouraging the use of alternative modes. Pedestrian bridges reduce congestion as they make it safer for commuters to use their bike or walk to their destination, as well as reduce the need for pedestrian crossings.
With hundreds descending on Corradino on a daily basis for several purposes, a pedestrian bridge will represent a safer connection between the area’s residential and industrial zones and the central part of Paola. In 2019 alone, public transport was boarded no less than 344,375 times from the two bus stops outside MCAST meaning that such bridge will provide a more decent safe access to public transport.
Eliminating the pedestrian crossings slowing down traffic flows in a road section that is pivotal to the southern road network is crucial to reduce congestion and the resulting GHG emissions. The least thing a busy road needs is an equally busy pedestrian crossing. Daily averages of 24,000 and 20,000 vehicles drive from Fgura to Paola and Marsa and from Paola towards Fgura, respectively. Pedestrian crossings on this street pose an obstacle and a hazard. Our allocation of €1.6m from European Regional Development Funds are an investment in the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and in road efficiency.
The positive impact of pedestrian bridges is exemplified by the bridge in Blata l-Bajda. The structure directly removed any barrier slowing down the daily flow of 20,000 vehicles in the southbound carriageway of this crucial artery. It is equally significant that it facilitates safer access to a very important node of public transport.
European funds’ allocation behind the development of the Gozo Park & Ride facility is one more tangible step to make public transport a natural efficient alternative on the sister island.
The development of a country is increasingly measured by the quality and the popularity of its public transportation. Our targeted investment of European funds in this field is already yielding safer roads we can share with pedestrians and cyclists while making the use of buses easier. They will also contribute to our vision to deliver an efficient mass transportation network a modern Malta deserves. Our investment in infrastructural upgrades won’t subside as we are serious about attaining our environmental targets and above all, a better standard of living.
Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi – Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds
at the Office of the Prime Minister