[WATCH] €700 million Malta roads project starts with surfacing of unbuilt roads

€700 million Malta roads project starts with surfacing of unbuilt roads

The first part of a €700 million nationwide project, which will see several roads over Malta being resurfaced, started this week. 

A total of €100 million each year over seven years will be spent on the project, which is being split into various stages each covering different sets of roads. 

At a press conference in Triq l-Gharnuq, Fgura – one of the roads currently being surfaced for the first time – transport minister Ian Borg said the work started this week will involve 31 streets and require a €53.5 million investment. 

These are part of the 120 roads on which work will be carried out in 2019. Later in the year, Infrastructure Malta will be issuing another call for road works, reaching the €100 million allocation for the period. 

“This is a government commitment towards a high-quality infrastructure, since this is an aspect which touches people directly on a daily basis, and its quality affects the life of residents,” Borg said. 

“We are not only considering the road surface, but are also making sure that works include stronger foundations, better pavements and improved services under the surface.” 

Work on the 31 roads will involve the installation of 32km of water distribution pipelines, electricity cables and communication ducts. 

The extensive project will be undertaken by three consortia chosen by Infrastructure Malta following a call for tenders. 

Borg said he wanted to cause the least inconvenience to residents. 

Discussions are also ongoing with the Gozo Ministry for works on Gozitan roads. 

On his part, the parliamentary secretary for local councils Silvio Parnis said the project – a key plank in Labour’s electoral manifesto in 2017 – marked another feather in the cap for government’s collaboration with local councils. “This will make local councils more popular with the people. It is difficult for councils to carry out this work which is why the Infrastructure Malta will be working with them to identify priority roads.”