Sta Venera tunnel temporarily closed

Leonard Cocks

Sep 28th 2009, 23:39

Unfortunately, it’s the usual sad story...... passive reaction. Can we determine what is the source of that water, a burst water main or rain water seeping through the rocks? As most of you said it’s been leaking for years. Water seeping through a reinforced concrete structure is no joke. ACTION TO BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY PLEASE. We paid for those tunnels!!!!

Pule' Carmel

Sep 28th 2009, 21:52

The flooding that takes place occasionally in Qormi and Marsa is all due to the bad design of the Millenia area with 60 columnar ( sixty before they blanked out the 48 columns as to my suggestion) support, and the old smallexit tunnels near Cassar shipyard, together with the one metre high HUMP on the road at Cassar shipyard acting as a breakwater, stopping floodwater on the road, escaping directly to the sea. As an Engineer, may I suggest the design of two special gates in front of the Millenia bend arrangement, at Marsa sportground side , whereby these special gates would, in heavy floods, catch all the debris coming down from Qormi, and by alternating motion with hydraulic power , whereby one gate stays in the waterchannel while the other is lifted and the debris cleared .
I shall assure that Marsa and Qormi will never be flooded and the Marsa Qormi People can sleep well in the flash floods of September to February. Mepa must be careful in giving building permission around that area adding runoff water and adding more feeders as the ST Venera Tunnel which is breaking the QORMI/MARSAWaterchannel's back

Adrian Said

Sep 28th 2009, 20:39

About time.. it's been like this for ages..

Pule' Carmel

Sep 28th 2009, 20:14

Please go quickly to see the closure with debris of the apertures in the water channel of the water Tunnel which carries floodwater from the Marsa Sportgrounds to the Millenia side, and have a look at the debris clogging the other columnar bridge which in 2003 due to the same reason flooded Qormi and Marsa. Today they cleared the trees fouling under the old racecourse bridge, I hope tomorrow they clear the MILLENIA STUPID BEND which slows down flow due to the wrong design. the St Venera tunnel feeds the Qormi Marsa floodwater channel.

Leon Caruana

Sep 28th 2009, 18:39

Waterfall is still there as at late this afternoon.

So, it has been nearly 2 days since this has happened and any news from the relevant authorities as to what and when remedial action, if any, has planned? Of course not! Just burying heads in the sand wishing the water will magically disappear.

Can't imagine the scene if the tunnel ceiling had to collapse and bury a number of vehicles. That apart from the multiple vehicle crashes as well!

Vanessa Pace

Sep 28th 2009, 16:47

I'm no expert ... but I have been driving my motorbike through that tunnel on a daily basis for a number of years now, and I would say that its been in this state for the last 2 years ... however I don't believe that the water leak is coming from above the tunnel but more likely from beneath the tarmac ... if this were not the case how come the tarmac has formed a water-filled hole even on the driest of days?? A hole and area I have to drive extremely carefully by as it is extremely dangerous. I would recommend that any works to be carried out for its repair be done at night and not during peak traffic please!!

joe vella

Sep 28th 2009, 13:32

water has been seeping through the tunnel walls ever since they were opened, and gradually increasing in both northbound and southbound tunnels
only last week, during the rains, the tunnels were badly flooded and several vehicles stalled inside them, with a very dangerous situation developing
the government architects should look into the reason why there is such a lot of water accumulating on the flypass close to the tunnels as well, with all that height, rainwater should drain off straight away
the situation is fast deteriorating and action has to be taken asap

r ferriggi

Sep 28th 2009, 10:45

i have just returned from sicily.

i travelled hundreds and hundreds of miles. (( i avoided the sities))

impeccable roads, long good tunnels, minimal roadworks, relatively good driving.

honestly,,,,,,, a very humbling lesson on roadworks by the sicilians . REALLY!!

Maria Micallef

Sep 28th 2009, 10:26

L aqwa li ha nibnu parlament gdid ... u l kumplament tal pajjiz inhalluh jitmermer/

Ryan Bugeja

Sep 28th 2009, 09:41

...there's the same problem in the Regional Road tunnel coming from Manwel Dimech bridge to Gzira/Msida/University... SO FAR it's not such a mess... but I'm sure all of you get a drop of whatever the liquid is especially when driving on the inner lane...

A.Tabone

Sep 27th 2009, 22:15

Just passed from there 9.45pm ... water is still coming and tunnel not closed...

V Falzon

Sep 27th 2009, 22:07

An average earth tremor epicentred on Malta or nearby is all it will take to bring most structures built in the last quarter century crashing down around us. The sheer shabbiness in recent construction is unbelievable.

Y.Buttigieg

Sep 27th 2009, 21:43

Water is still leaking by the gallon and no warning sign whatsoever. What about the waste of water? Something needs to be done ASAP. The tunnel has leaked in the past but not this much. Maybe the situation could have been prevented before.

joe scerri

Sep 27th 2009, 21:23

The tunnel has been seeping water for a very long time. I remember a couple of letters highlighting this months ago. Like so many others I also drive through the tunnel every day and it’s been like this for several months if not years. As usual action is taken when it’s too late. Lucky it did not cave in.

J.Camilleri

Sep 27th 2009, 20:38

L-aqwa li jwahhlu s-speed cameras u jdahhlu kemxa minn fuqhom ghall bwiethom.

Jason Fenech

Sep 27th 2009, 19:44

Passed through the tunnel a few hours ago and the situation is still as shown in the video. At the very least the authorities concerned should put up warning signs alerting drivers. But then again, we have speed cameras at the exit of the tunnels and that is all that matters!

Gerard Cassar

Sep 27th 2009, 17:49

The Argotti incident has opened the mind of responsible persons. What is happening in these underground passages is fearful. Let's pray God to save us from a disaster never witnessed before.
How many criticized the building of the bridge over Msida Valley and blaming the MLP and particularly the late Minister Lorry Sant. But I would pass under said bridge inand after the heavyest storm but henceforth will avoid other tunnels. If I add tunnels built under the P.N. I would sound political. Politics have nothing to do but lack of supervision by politicians yes. Either they did not chose the right architects/engineers or the contractor was not supervised.
The Manwel Dimech bridge that should have lasted if not for ever as other bridges do, at least for plenty of more years is an example of "careless attitude" of the authorities.
Another example of serious public works is the bridge and tunnel at il-Bombi going and coming to Valletta from Pieta. Something that the elements dare not touch. And to top it all, the works were accelerated, carried out at night under Mintoff supervision and finished in time. What lessons to the present administation. Perhaps the ministers concerned were not uptodate

Mark Cushcieri

Sep 27th 2009, 17:33

or maybe it was deemed unsafe..? malta ..an accident waiting to happen ..ximiss a tunnel caving in and killing people.?

JC Micallef

Sep 27th 2009, 17:13

did not a letter appear in the times highlighting this problem a few months back? Not even a stupid reply from the authorities concerned.

I hopewe wont be told that there's lots of damage and hunders of thousands of Euro to repair.

This happens all around Malta!!!

Have you seen the corroding concrete pillars holdign the MArsa part of the flyover (the roundabout that leads to Wands)? It's in a sorry state. U mhux ftit poli-filler trid, ta...!

A Brincat

Sep 27th 2009, 11:52

As stated by some users below, these tunnels have been seeping water for years ( almost since its opening)


I hope that the authorities are aware that the steel rebars inside the concrete slabs are rusted, and sould take full responibility to perform an immediate RE-CONSTRUCTION of the tunnel !!

Winston Baldacchino

Sep 27th 2009, 11:43

This problem has been going on for a long time now but as usual no action was taken. This tunnel needs to be assessed seriously because I personally think that it’s a hazard to the general public (I’m no expert or nothing) because it’s not normal to see water running down from the roof top of this tunnel or any roof for that matter. Honestly speaking I try to avoid it whenever I can. You can’t even wash your car and keep it clean when passing through it! Simply UNBELIEVABLE! Authorities concerned – GET A MOVE ON NOW!!!

M.Camilleri

Sep 27th 2009, 10:47

Dan It tunnel ijlu iqattar ghal diversi snin sajf u xitwa, possibli hadd ma indununa mil awtoritajiet? Insomma forsi ghax lilma kien irhis u issa peress li ghola ha naghmlu xi haga? Jien nistaqsi jekk dan l-ilma huwiex gej mix xita jew min xi pajpijiet tad dranagg maqsuma jew ghar min hekk min xi pajp tal lilma tal water service ? jista xi hadd jinfurmana ? Ghax kull qatra toghod!!!!

Tony Cutajar

Sep 27th 2009, 09:54

Dalwaqt issir qisu l Ghar ta Ninu.

A.Sciberras

Sep 27th 2009, 09:06

What a lovely sight. We should turn it into a tourist attraction telling them that this is how stalactites are formed. Maybe even open up a couple of coffee shops in the tunnel so it will be self sustaining.
Have a lovely day.

James Catanai

Sep 27th 2009, 08:56

It has been seeping through for years, and everyone noticed it except for the appropriate authorities, as usual. U issa, thank god there wasn't a collapse or something, cause in Malta apparently we're only going to start moving out butts when tragedy strikes.

M Bishop

Sep 27th 2009, 08:42

Ha I reported this incident to the 112 emergency number last year.

Ludwig Flask

Sep 27th 2009, 08:19

@ Mark Portelli: I too confirm your comment ref. water seepage! Before summer I drove through that tunnel when it rained heavily and the the water which fell from the concrete wall was alarming.

The tunnel not only has to be "temporarily closed", but assessed for safety! Has it undergone routine checks and maintenance? Was it bad planned architectural or construction wise? If yes whom approved the plans? Whom is liable? Whom will guarantee one can drive safely into that tunnel?

Sacha Salnitro

Sep 27th 2009, 07:24

I do not know why it took so long for somebody to decide that this water seepage needs to be investigated. Personally I have been using this tunnel 3 to 4 times a day for the last 12 years and always know it with water seeping from the same spot and increases in winter after heavy rain. In fact there is a large whole in the tarmac surface.

Where any investigations carried out a couple of years ago when the tarmac resurfacing was done ????

What about the steel structure in the concrete with all that water seeping out of it?

Are we waiting for a tragic accident to happen to take action keeping in mind that the tunnel is beneath streets and houses?

Mark Portelli

Sep 27th 2009, 04:03

The water seepage has been occuring for months now ( i think over a year) depending if it rains or not the flow increases.

A proof of this is that the tarmac has been damaged by the constant water dropping in the same area.

Adrian Sciberras

Sep 27th 2009, 02:17

issoltu storja, ili snin nghaddi mit-triq u dejjem bl-ilma jcarcar jew jqattar.... x'qed nistennew, icedi xi cangun, qed nistennew it-tragedja biex naghmlu xi haga?

David Mizzi

Sep 27th 2009, 01:54

A real case of crisis management : water has been dripping there for at least 2 years... that's the much as I can remember...

N. Bonello

Sep 27th 2009, 01:50

I recall many complaints throughout the years about the water (or whatever) seepage from the roof of the north bound tunnel.

Finally something will be done ?

R. Bonnici

Sep 27th 2009, 01:36

I have two points to make. Firstly, this water seepage has been going on for months now, is it possible that the competent authorities did not come up with a solution to date? I assume that this problem has been damaging the tunnel ever since.
Secondly, I was one of those unlucky drivers who were caught up in traffic because of the road closure. I was frustrated to see traffic police staring at traffic instead of controlling it. I am not an expert in traffic management expert but if I were assigned the task to control the flow of traffic in a bottle neck, I would stop traffic in one lane to allow cars in the other lane to pass for one minute and vice-versa (just like traffic lights). I am sure that this would be more efficient that letting drivers battle off on who's passing first.

P Pace

Sep 27th 2009, 01:16

that tunnel has been dripping water for a long time now.... about time they closed the tunnel to inspect it, better late than never . I thought that the tunnel would go under investigation when it would collapse and people would unfortunately get hurt.

E Compagno

Sep 27th 2009, 00:30

What? Water? From tunnel ceiling?

Oh my!! What a SURPRISE!!

Yes.. now that a river is practically pouring out, it's probably a good time to call an architect.

Or maybe a rocket scientist.

Deo Catania

Sep 26th 2009, 23:53

Bongu Malta. L-ilma ilu snin inixxi minn go dik il-mijna imma ovvjament qatt ma sar xejn bhas-soltu.

R.Degiorgio

Sep 26th 2009, 23:37

This water problem in the tunnel been there for a nice time now, and nobody have done something yet!!! What is the gov waiting for to solve this problem?? Waiting for some tradegy to happen?!? Such a disgrace of a country we living in!!!

James Green

Sep 26th 2009, 23:25

Perish the thought that we should ever even dream about constructing a tunnel between Malta and Gozo.

Paul Barrett

Sep 26th 2009, 23:07

Free car wash :-)