Resurfacing of 450 residential roads to be completed by end 2008

About 450 residential roads will be resurfaced by the end of 2008 thanks to an investment by the government of Lm9 million (nearly €21 million), Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett said yesterday.

The Network Infrastructure Directorate, one of the branches of the Malta Transport Authority (ADT), is determining which roads need rebuilding and what kind of work they need.

The first contracts for road works were given out at the end of last year, Mr Mugliett said, adding that it was the first time that a large volume of jobs was assigned at one go.

Other road works were awarded in April and last month to contractors who had completed their first batch in time and as per contract specifications.

Network infrastructure project manager David Vassallo said 50 new residential roads have been identified and are at a planning stage.

Coordination between service providers was necessary so that any works which have to be done by Enemalta, Go, Melita Cable and the Water Services Corporation are carried out before the construction of the road.

Mr Vassallo pointed out that the first set of this programme of works, launched in 2006, involving 150 roads, was nearing completion.

Since June of last year, contracts were given to various contractors for road works spread throughout various localities including Birkirkara, Marsascala, Gzira, Naxxar, Siggiewi, Swieqi, St Julians, Gudja, Mosta, Paola, Vittoriosa, Mtarfa, Mqabba, Attard, Tarxien, Dingli, Sta Lucija, Zurrieq, Cospicua, Safi, Hamrun, Zabbar, Zebbug, Ghaxaq, Luqa, Qormi, Kirkop, Mellieha, Pembroke, Zejtun and Xghajra.

Mr Vassallo emphasised the fact that through the new policy the contractors were being held responsible for a satisfactory end product and would have to re-do the job at their own expense if the work is not up to scratch.