Santa Marija Estate roads being upgraded

Upgrading work on 19 roads in Santa Marija Estate in Mellieħa is expected to be completed by the end of the year, Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett said yesterday.

Visiting the site, Mr Mugliett said the work is being carried out by the Malta Transport Authority and is co-funded by a company that developed the land in question.

He explained at in the 1960s, Cenmed Ltd developed Santa Marija Estate and put up a gate restricting entrance to the estate.

In the 1970s, the government at the time removed the gate and court procedures ensued to establish whether it was the company or the government who was responsible for the maintenance of the roads.

Following a legal battle, the court ruled that the company was responsible, so it is forking out most of the expenses.

Over the past weeks, an agreement was reached with Cenmed Ltd and it will be paying its share. Of the €1,677,150 (Lm720,000) which will be spent, the government is forking out €466,000 (Lm200,000). The Malta Transport Authority's share is €163,000 (Lm70,000).

The roads that will be upgraded are Il-Palm, In-Nixxiegħa, Il-Ħlewwa, L-Hena, L-Għaqda, Is-Sliem, Il-Pont, L-Alwetta, Il-Ġojjin, Fuq il-Widien, Ix-Xagħra, Ta' Barra, Il-Gardell, Daħlet id-Dalji, Ir-Rundun, Daħlet is-Sardinell, Il-Bufula, Il-Bilbla, Iż-Żebbuġ and Il-Qortin.

The work will be split up into six contracts. It does not form part of the programme of upgrades on 470 roads in which €21 million (Lm9 million) will be invested.