Italian contractors to start rebuilding Mosta-Luqa road

Work to rebuild the stretch of road from Targa Gap, in Mosta to the Mtarfa junction, part of a Lm12.5 million project funded by the Fifth Italo-Maltese Financial Protocol, is expected to start next week.

Simultaneously, work will start on the stretch between the Mtarfa junction and the De Rohan Gate, in Zebbug and on to the roundabout leading to Siggiewi.

Work on the third part in the project should start by the end of the month. This covers the stretch from the Siggiewi junction along Mdina Road towards Qormi, up to the cargo terminal in Luqa.

The contracts for the reconstruction of these arterial roads, awarded to Italian contractors as stipulated in the protocol, were signed yesterday in the presence of Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett and Italian Ambassador Alvise Memmo.

The Italian contractors selected are Ergon Engineering, F.lli Anastasi Snc and F.lli Basillotta Srl. The first two have employed Polidano Brothers Limited and Asfaltar Company Limited as sub-contractors and the third will be employing Maltese workers to work directly on the project.

The funds provided by the Italian protocol have to be utilised by September 2005 so work has to start and be completed in time to ensure the money is not lost.

Mr Mugliett said yesterday's signing was a historic moment which opened a unique window of opportunity to embark on long-awaited road network projects.

"The involvement of Italian contractors will also bring about a much-needed transfer of technology and a synergy with Maltese contractors on the way of doing business," he said.

The money from the protocol was originally meant to include a main arterial road in Gozo but this was dropped. When questioned about it, Mr Mugliett said that estimates of the Roads Directorate established that the money would only cover three projects. Instead, Gozo will now benefit specifically from €4.4 million from the EU's cohesion funds.

Indeed, projects were also being drawn up for the utilisation of €20 million available from structural and cohesion funds, which should start being made use of next year.

Mr Mugliett said studies were underway to establish whether the Regional Road bridge needed urgent attention as this would take up half the structural funds available.

With regard to the projects financed by the Italian protocol, the Malta Transport Authority will be embarking on a campaign to inform motorists that these roads will be closed to traffic to expedite the execution of the work.

Alternative traffic arrangements and traffic deviations are in hand and will be publicised in due course. The resurfacing of alternative roads has already started.

Work will also include the shifting of services running under the roads in question.