Gozo roads face-lift

An extensive programme of road works in a number of residential areas and major thoroughfares linking various villages is underway in Gozo.

A Gozo Ministry spokesman said works have already been completed on roads in residential areas but the programme is far from exhausted. In fact, the spokesman added, other works are scheduled to start on local and arterial roads in the coming months.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono described the outgoing year as "one of the most interesting" for Gozo given the numerous infrastructural projects, including roads, undertaken over the past months. She explained that once her ministry had settled outstanding payments for works carried out prior to 1999 it was in a position to plan reconstruction and other road works.

A list of unasphalted roads and a separate one with roads needing reconstruction or upgrading were drawn up with work starting in several areas. Priority was given to residential streets that had never been asphalted.

Dun Frangisk Mizzi Street, 26 January 1855 Street, Firilla Street and Barumbara Street in Ghajnsielem, Francesco Masini Street in Victoria, Guzeppi Bajada Street in Xaghra, Muxrabija Street in Ghasri, Qacca Road in Xaghra, Ras il-Bajada Street in Munxar and Santa Domenika Street in Victoria were completed this year. Work on the road in Victoria included the enlargement of the water culvert to be able to better handle storm water.

Works are in progress on Liberat Grech Street and Bertija Street in Xaghra, Justice Guzè Cremona Street and New Street in Ghajn Qatet Street in Victoria and Carmelite Street in Kercem.

The Gozo Ministry spokesman said further road construction work is expected to start in the coming months in other residential zones in Victoria, Marsalforn, Nadur and Ghajnsielem.

In the case of arterial roads, works are in progress on the Victoria-San Lawrenz stretch, which will be complemented by the Xlendi, Mgarr and the Ramla road projects, and on the Mgarr Road reconstruction project.

Earlier this year, the government voted an additional Lm500,000 for road projects in Gozo in a bid to further strengthen the ministry's hands in the implementation of its roads programme.