Infrastructure Malta (IM) has completed the final phase of the new €3.5 million pedestrian and cycling overpass at It-Tiġrija Road, Marsa.

This was announced by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia and Perit Raphael Abdilla from Infrastructure Malta. 

Minister Farrugia said that this multi-million investment is contributing to improved pedestrian, public transport and cycling access between different localities and areas around the new bridges and subways, providing increased levels of safety and an enhanced commute experience for all modes of transport.

This new segregated crossing opened a safer walking and cycling route between different residential areas of Marsa and the centre of Qormi (through Il-Ġerrejja Alley).

The agency had completed the first phase of the project, including the main bridge structure which features a 30-metre, 40-tonne tied-arch steel superstructure supported on two abutment towers situated on the sides of It-Tiġrija Road, the four-lane arterial road connecting December 13th Road with the Marsa-Ħamrun Bypass, along the principal TEN-T route of the Maltese islands.

 

The three towers supporting the two bridges include stairways and spacious elevators to be accessible to all. They are equipped with lighting and surveillance cameras to ensure public safety. Infrastructure Malta also revitalised the sizeable landscaped areas around the overpass with new trees, shrubs and other plants, including a new irrigation system.

This project removed a critical safety risk along a very popular pedestrian route from the centre of Marsa (Il-Jum Street and Il-Marsa Street areas) towards several locations of Marsa and Qormi on the other side of It-Tigrija Road, including the Marsa Park and Ride bus terminus (L-Iljun Road, Qormi), the Marsa Sports Grounds and several other nearby industrial, retail and residential areas. To reach these destinations, many pedestrians used to cross the five lanes of It-Tiġrija Road and its slip roads, with no form of safe crossing.

The Tiġrija Road footbridge is the eighth segregated connection for pedestrians and cyclists that Infrastructure Malta added to the Maltese road network.