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.
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Carmel Saliba
May 26th 2009, 07:07
Good news. These projects should be planned with a decent and up to standard pavements. Road are not used for the traffic only.
Ramon Casha
May 26th 2009, 06:30
Wow. We should have elections every few months. I'd put up with the pamphlets if it inspires the government to start working.
W Spencer
May 25th 2009, 21:29
Are we going to have the roads laid properly, as it is false economy to do the usual bodge jobs !
v.pulis
May 25th 2009, 20:48
Yippee! Halleluja and Hooray! St. Paul's street in Cospicua is to be resurfaced at long last. How about repairing Cospicua road in Fgura just a stone's throw away while you're at it?
It's in a similar state. And if it's possible perhaps the Senglea waterfront could be taken care of although this is the responsibility of the local council.
P. Schembri
May 25th 2009, 20:01
Once there was somebody who talked about government incumbency! And he's being proved right again. Looks like the elections are just round the corner and promises galore! I wonder where the money is coming from! Any clues?
Thomas Sammut
May 25th 2009, 19:03
Hope some money can be found to finish the 100m strech of road from Mosta round about to St Gusep Tat Tatga. This strech is between two completed resurfaced road, at least we can say we have a road between hal Far and Xemxija complete.
Joe Mangion
May 25th 2009, 18:25
Good luck to the locations mentioned. But, if I may ask, when will B'Bugia be included in such programme of works? I invite all members of cabinet to come and see for themselves the stretch from near Al Fresco Restaurant all the way up to the Freeport. Shame on who is responsible for rendering this summer location to the dreadful state it is in.
Joseph Brincat
May 25th 2009, 18:21
Not even 600 million euros would be enough for the road in this picture alone. First of all, you should go around the island in a decent car (if you can find a car that hasn't been damaged) and take note of all the roads that have to be re-surfaced. Only then you can estimate how much money you need to spend.
Joe Carpenter
May 25th 2009, 17:57
Ahhh.. Yesss Mr. Minister.... JUST Hope that this is not YET ANOTHER Promissed Election Gimick.........!!! 'Cause it looks like that's what it exactly is.... Another Dangling Election CARROT...!!! Very Hard to beleive you all otherwise now, Hon. Minister...!!
Political Credibility = CAPUT....!!! You've done these kind of tricks, too many a times Sir....!!
Galea. L
May 25th 2009, 17:35
Any bets the Zabbar bypass will be opened just before the next general election and will not even be ready?
J.Borg
May 25th 2009, 17:08
Were is all this money coming from.......
Now that the EP elections are round the corner....the government is opening his hands and offering us everything on a silver plate.....
Is the minister gowing to reduce fuel prices this coming weekend....effectively a week before the elections
John D. Farrugia
May 25th 2009, 16:55
LOL............. Similar past promises are still to materialize.....
" Cwiec dawk li ma jarawx u jemmnu" .
jesmond zammit
May 25th 2009, 16:42
are there any target dates pls.
and what about grand harbour project. renzo piano project.etc etc etc.
Lewis Ellul
May 25th 2009, 16:36
The Maltese are not overly impressed by press releases quoting millions for the maintenance of roads. What is really impressive is that the condition of 80% of the roads in Malta is worse than anywhere else in Europe and compares well with those of a few deprived African states. In fact commenting about roads in Malta has become the standard joke amongst people visiting us from civilised (and even not so civilised) countries. And were it not for the feeble effort made when dignitaries are visiting Malta, the situation would be much worse. Dr Gatt and all his predecessors should hang their head in shame.
Keith Davis
May 25th 2009, 16:28
The country needs a spending of more then €100 million to really upgrade the entire road network,which is in a total mess even when compared to suburban areas anywhere in the Europe.
Therfore 16 million euros are just a fry cry to the country's real needs of today!
I have lost faith we will ever get there!
r ferriggi
May 25th 2009, 16:26
It seems that prayers have been heard.
the long-awaited upgrade of the ta pennellu VERY BUSY and VERY DISINTEGRATED main road to CIRKEWWA is going to be undertaken.
this road is one of the busiest and used all the time by mellieha residents, ALL gozitans, foreign and maltese tourist to the north.
and yes,,,, the beach roads DESPERATELY NEEDS to be upgraded. cotroversy or not. i mean DESPERATE.
A.Sciberras
May 25th 2009, 16:14
How about the small strech of road at Targa Gap ,Mosta, just before going down hill to Burmarrad please. Or is it to serve us as a reminder that things could be worse?