ADT announces 'extensive' road repairs following storms

The Malta Transport Authority said today that it is planning to carry out wide-ranging repair works over the coming days on various roads that sustained extensive damage following the recent inclement weather.

The road repair programme is expected to be completed in six days, weather permitting.

Costing an estimated €440,000, the repair works which will be carried out during the night and weekends in some areas to minimize the inconvenience to the public. The work will include the scarifying of the existing road surfaces and the laying of hot asphalt.

"This permanent road repair programme follows a temporary emergency programme that was carried out by the Authority a few days ago. During the emergency programme, cold asphalt was applied to the road surface as a temporary priority-measure implemented to ensure the safety of motorists and other road users," the ADT said.

The use of hot asphalt know as ‘tarmac’ is a longer-lasting intervention which can only be applied in dry weather.

The ADT said it has also asked the Cleansing Services Department to carry out cleansing works on various storm water culverts which have been blocked by debris and which have been causing flooding and further damage in certain areas. This parallel exercise has already started.

A number of contractors have been engaged to carry out the repair works.

Works will be carried out in the following areas:

Northern Region

Mellieha Bypass to Ghadira; Burmarrad; Xemxija Road, St Paul's Bay, Sliema Road, San Gwann; Birkirkara Bypass; Naxxar Road Birkirkara; along Gzira/Sliema Seafront; Tal-Balal, San Gwann, Valley Road, Msida.

Southern Region

Garibaldi Road , Luqa / Marsa, Ghaxaq Bypass, Ghaxaq, Triq is-Sebh and roundabout, Qormi.

Eastern Region

Dejma Road and San Anard Street, Bulebel, Zejtun Road, Marsaxlokk, Cottonera, Vjal Santa Lucija, Paola, National Road, Santa Venera Tunnels, Sta Venera, Hompesh Road, Zabbar.

Western Region

Nutar Zarb Street, Attard, Mdina Road, Attard, Mosta Road, Lija, Zebbug Road, Attard, Ta’ Qali, High Street, Mosta, Tabija Street, Rabat, Dingli Road, Rabat.

The maintenance works are expected to commence immediately, weather permitting.

A programme for road repair works in Gozo is also being planned. The repair works in Gozo will be funded by the Ministry for Gozo, under whose responsibility the maintenance of roads in Gozo falls.