Infrastructure Malta has apologised for delays in reopening Burmarrad Road on Wednesday morning – something which left much of the north is the country in total gridlock.

“During last night's emergency maintenance works, there were simultaneous technical failures of two asphalt plants that Infrastructure Malta had booked for these night works. Recovery efforts were further hampered by inclement weather, mainly affecting works in Triq Burmarrad, Burmarrad. This led to the road being reopened at 9:30 am this morning instead of 5:00 am as originally scheduled,” the roads agency said in a statement on social media.

Commuters were faced with traffic gridlock on Wednesday morning which started as early as 6am in the Salini area.

To compund matters further, travellers from Mellieha Ccould not use Selmun Road which, forcing them to drive through Manikata.

Ghajn Tuffieha Road is also currently closed for road works, thereby created further traffic havoc.

Infrastructure Malta said that the works in Burmarrad Road are “part of an intensive program of interventions focusing on the maintenance and upkeep of arterial and distributor roads.”

These works are specifically scheduled for off-peak hours/periods, the roads agency said.

“There is no other way to say it than to sincerely apologise to road users for the inconvenience experienced this morning,” it said.

Infrastructure Malta also expressed its gratitude to multiple contractors involved in these works for their unwavering commitment, and the general public for their cooperation during these works.