Relief in sight for Birkirkara Road residents and businesses

Birkirkara Road, in St Julian's, which has been closed for nearly four months, is finally expected to open in a few days' time much to the relief of disgruntled residents and motorists.

Work on the busy junction, assigned to contractor Polidano Bros Ltd, started last April and was initially scheduled to be completed within six weeks.

Transport Minister Censu Galea said that since the road was narrow, works to change the water mains and install the other services took longer than expected. The workmen also encountered unexpected problems relating to the drainage system in the road, causing further delays.

"We understand people's frustrations but, hopefully, the road will once again be open to traffic within a few days," Mr Galea said.

The road is an important link to Sliema from San Gwann and Regional Road and the lengthy delay could not have come at a worse time given that summer is at its peak.

The closure of the road has led to long traffic jams, a situation which is made worse when other junctions are closed because of village feasts.

But the worst hit by the delays have been the residents and businesses in the road who have had to put up with a permanent cloud of white dust as heavy machinery daily trudged through. The residents said they never imagined it would take so long.

"Each time I am going out somewhere I have to carry wet wipes to wipe my sandals and feet because of the dust," said one resident.

Another complained that for the past months and despite the scorching heat, they never dared open their windows because of the dust.

Since the pavements have now been slightly widened, residents also questioned whether this would now mean they would not be able to park their cars in the two-way road.

"How can two cars pass through this road with cars parked on one side? Is it going to become a one-way road now?" another resident asked.

However, Mr Galea said that so far no suggestions had been made to make Birkirkara Road one way.

Shops in the same road also complained that business had almost ground to a halt in the past four months and they hoped works would not be further delayed.

Half the road, from the side of Mrabat Street, has been given a thin layer of tarmac. However, the rest of it is still a dirt track.

In spite of this, motorists seem to have had enough of waiting and are driving through, manoeuvring past the manholes which protrude dangerously along the whole road.