Government announces additional spending of €6m on roads

The government has approved additional spending of €6 million on the roads, raising to €16 million its outlay on the roads this year, apart from other funds from the EU, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said today.

He said the works would concentrate on the resurfacing of sections of 24 arterial and nine link roads and the building of 33 new roads in residential areas.

Dr Gatt said the funds would also be used on the resurfacing of 12 roads in Bugibba and a resumption of Valletta paving works.

The link roads earmarked for the works at St Paul Street in St Paul’s Bay, Notabile Road, Birkirkara, Sliema Road, Gzira/Kappara, Racecourse Street, Siggiewi, St Paul Street, Cospicua, Marsa Street, Marsa, Cannon Road, Sta Venera and Pitkali Road, Attard.

Dr Gatt pointed out that EU funds were being used for the Cirkewwa-Ta’Pennellu Road in Mellieha, the re-alignment of a section of the Coast Road, the road from the Sea passenger Terminal to Coal Wharf, Marsa, and from Marsa traffic lights to Luqa and from Ghajnsielem to Victoria in Gozo.

The minister said works were currently in hand on the Zabbar by-pass, where problems caused by poor workmanship in the past were being uncovered, including the absence of any foundations.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said the economic situation necessitated further investment in the infrastructure, including the roads. He said the government was also spending an additional €4 million to help manufacturing industries overcome the economic slowdown. Tourism marketing was getting an additional injection of €1 million.