Water pouring down Sta Venera tunnel again

Tonio Bugeja

Mar 12th 2010, 18:25

I do not care where this water is coming from! Stop it! After an article appeared on MTV about this water, the leak stopped the next day until the recent downpours. The moment you pass there, you get a free thorough car wash! Imagine this scenario of a few days ago;- an open air double decker bus full of tourists goes in the tunnel. The driver stops and the tourists climb down and pack themselves in the lower level until the bus goes beyond this spot. There was mayhem with the traffic jam! so much for Brand Malta Toursim! Whatever anybody is saying, this water IS eroding the foundations of the road. The road underlay is getting washed away with this much water flowing, which will eventually collapse causing a serious accident.

David Schiavone

Mar 12th 2010, 15:51

The Source from where the water is coming from is from the Apap Institiute Well... I can recall the days when they started digging big pit holes in the payment to measure from where the tunnel would be passing from... Come on let's repair it...

Robert Portelli

Mar 11th 2010, 17:26

Above that section of the tunnel there is a large plot (over 2000m2) with no proper water drainage system in place, so the solution must control rain water in that area. The other possibility can be that during construction or due to stress caused by traffic above and/or vibrations in the tunnel some damage was done to the underground channel of the "wignacourt aquaduct" which passes right above the tunnel (but more towards Msida than the point of leak) roughly 95 metres from the Msida end.

Joe Pace

Mar 11th 2010, 13:44

@J Brincat

I beg to disagree: I recently drove through 239 Italian tunnels and 90% of them dripped water (hopefully) onto my windscreen!

Christian Sciberras

Mar 11th 2010, 09:13

j borg - Pity I don't see any leak detection/monitor tools or architects in the above video.
Where was the 24/7 monitoring again?

But then again, we're talking about WSC, another guaranteed government monopoly.

J Brincat

Mar 11th 2010, 08:44

Whoever has driven through the tunnels zigzaging the Alps can only remark in exasperation 'ONLY IN MALTA'

C Galea

Mar 11th 2010, 08:25

may if the pope got 'blessed' by this water reality may hit the goverment that some real fumdamental repairs seem to be truly needed here. Forgive me your Holiness as nobody deseves to be showered in this way.

Joseph Grech

Mar 11th 2010, 00:58

This is GOOD NEWS which goes to show that we have not yet depleted the National Water table ! :) We are certainly heading that way mind you - and our administrators just look the other way! How can we take them seriously?

Sacha Salnitro

Mar 10th 2010, 20:56

Since I have got my driving licence I always remember water dripping from this tunnel. I think that the tunnel already is suffering heavy damage because now the water is coming down heavily to which I conclude that the fissures got bigger during the years

What if the tunnel collapses during the rush hour between 7.15am and 8.15am? What will happen to the residences and school under which the tunnel is excavated?

Sandra Camilleri

Mar 10th 2010, 19:56

issa l-ewwel issir it-tragedja, mbaghad jiddeciedu li jirrangawha. hawn Malta dejjem hekk konna u ma tantx nitghalmu malajr.

M. Avellino

Mar 10th 2010, 19:04

Please get advise from the engineers of Eurotunnel :)

David farrugia

Mar 10th 2010, 18:43

MAYBE IT WILL BE OK BY THE TIME HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT WILL BE WITH US, IF IT DOES NOT RAIN!

j borg

Mar 10th 2010, 18:12

-- now you can get a carwash free........... i am sure the authorities are doing their best to solve the problem. Have a bit of faith people.......

Ray Buhagiar

Mar 10th 2010, 17:21

The Niagra Falls of Malta. Will soon be a tourist attraction.
On a more serious note, the pillars at the flyover in Marsa have pieces of concrete broken and cracked. Perhaps the structural engineer could have a look at that as well.

M. Vigar

Mar 10th 2010, 17:08

The amount of water pouring into the tunnel and onto cars yesterday and today was scary.

V Caruana

Mar 10th 2010, 16:13

Once upon a time there was a little island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. All of a sudden its inhabitants couldn't explain from where black dust was coming. Mysterious things were happening. They couldn't understand and no one could explain how water was gurgling down the tunnel. So...........

S Borg

Mar 10th 2010, 15:29

This is Malta a center for excellence in year 2010. Come on.

victor vella

Mar 10th 2010, 15:24

Would someone consider that the leak is coming from a cracked well on top of the tunnel?

Andrew Paris

Mar 10th 2010, 14:32

All I can say if the tunnel falls and people die, there will be a major lawsuit against the authorities. In other words the people of Malta will pay for the inaction of the authorities.
The tunnel needs to be shut down and fixed ASAP!
Yes M Sciberras, only in Malta.

J Falzon

Mar 10th 2010, 14:25

So let's get this straight!!!! Over watering of a couple of trees apparently could have caused the collapse of a quarry wall but unknown gallons of fast flowing water aided by road weight and constant traffic flow above cannot cause at least a piece of the roof inside this tunnel to collapse. Hmmmm!!?? I still remember when water was a constant trickle, now it suddenly developed in a proper waterfall. Somewhere above something must have eroded. This erosion needs to be dealt with simple from above and no expert will ever convince me. We are just Maltese not dumb.

K. Abela

Mar 10th 2010, 14:20

The whole area over the bridge should be inspected to see exactly where the rain water is seeping through. Even wells should be considered. Ejja periti wake up.... ta!

Robert Zammit

Mar 10th 2010, 14:08

SURE WILL 2012 FALLING DOWN TUNNEL ... SAME MOVIE NAME "DAYLIGHT". LOOK ALIKE.

AND COMING SOON IN SPLAT & FUN NEW NAME " WET TUNNEL" HAVE NICE DAY :)

Greta Rapinett

Mar 10th 2010, 13:48

My qualms about this concern more the safety issues that might be caused by this 'leak'. The authorities need to reassure us that the constant trickling of water, will not in any way affect the structure and and therefore become dangerous for vehicles.

Also, isn't it high time, budgets for our roads, tunnels etc......involve a maintenance plan? Regarding the costs involved, I am sure that our road taxes are well covering the expense involved and are the thousands of traffic fines.

Charles Busuttil

Mar 10th 2010, 13:27

It has to be ONLY IN MALTA!
We have the problem of the black dust in the south of the island. We have had it for quite some time now, yet we do not know it's source. Now we have water pouring down in the St Venera tunnel and we cannot identify it's source either!

M. Farrugia

Mar 10th 2010, 13:00

@MSciberras
Hey, Mr. Genius, so what do you propose one should do? Sit and wait for tragedy to happen? Does one have to be an architect or an expert to admit that this consititutes very serious danger to human lives? Very expensive??? So what?? Govt. would do well to spend even millions on such "technology", rather than waste money on non-essential projects like a roofless theatre. I wonder what you would say had you to be driving along and some part of the ceiling came down on you? Would you still play it down?
As for the occasional drop which leaked years ago, can you support your statement that "this was only normal condensation"?? What condensation? And what do you mean by "normal" condensation? Is it "normal" for roofs to leak? Does your roof leak at home? If it doesn't, does that mean you have an "abnormal" ceiling? What ridiculous statements!!!

John Azzopardi

Mar 10th 2010, 12:58

I totally agree with Albert Leone Ganado. The overhead bridge at the same location in Msida has chunks missing from it and the steel net is exposed. Water has demolished far mightier structures than the old and unmaintained tunnels and retaining walls that we have in this country. Mega dams have not been able to withstand the force of water. Even here, the recent collapse of the Mqabba quarry is thought to have been caused by water. One must also mention the high wall at Kappara Regional Road, the high retaining wall at Santa Margerita Estate, Mosta, and the Mosta Bypass itself,, perched precariously on the quarry beneath.

A Bezzina

Mar 10th 2010, 12:36

The transport REGULATOR ruled out that the fissures could be a threat to the tunnel. “Transport Malta has engaged the services of a STRUCTURAL ENGINEER to assess and closely monitor the structural stability of the tunnel. The fissures are not a threat to the structural integrity and stability of the tunnel.”

Could the "REGULATOR" and the "STRUCTURAL ENGINEER " show their name and be ready to take resposibility for mansluaghter in case of structural failure of the tunnel.

julia simpson

Mar 10th 2010, 12:27

what a shame,in the 21st century.....how does the international world rate malta?....a developed,developing,under developed or is it a third world country?....I dont understand....

albert leone ganado

Mar 10th 2010, 11:58

The Santa Venera tunnel is overdue for a thorough safety check. It is not only the tunnel
which worries me but also the high walls leading to the tunnel on the Msida side. They have
visible signs of deterioration due to pollution and one is concerned about their stability and the potential danger of eventual collapse.
I avoid using the tunnel whenever possible for its visible state truly worries me, but then I am no expert and would like the to have the assurance of qualified civil engineers that it is safe and that there are no worse hidden dangers behind.

Steve Mifsud

Mar 10th 2010, 11:14

Just hoping.... That the open top 'PopeMobil' is going to pass trough the tunnel. Maybe a miracle will happen and the solution is found in a madder days..

M.Mercieca

Mar 10th 2010, 10:54

............................what a shame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

E Busuttil

Mar 10th 2010, 10:38

To all motorist (and relevant authority)

Going down Qormi Road in the direction of Qormi, you come to a roundabout under the flyover going down to Marsa. Now as you turn right to take the road leading to Sta.Venera tunnel, look at the pillars supporting the flyover. They are literally breaking under the pressure of traffic.

WHAT ARE THE AUTHORITIES WAITING FOR? NOT A TRAGEDY BUT A FATAL DISASTER.

(Oh and by the way, the retaining wall on the other side is also giving way and may come down any time!)

R.Gauci

Mar 10th 2010, 10:35

People moaning about the new Water Tariffs can always get a free car wash under this tunnel ! :) Have a nice day!

Ml.Schembri

Mar 10th 2010, 10:27

I agree that a disaster is waiting to happen, on my part I avoid going through the tunnel because I do not want to be there when it happens.

stephen camilleri

Mar 10th 2010, 10:23

i did not know it rains inside tunnels,could this be due to climate ghange!

AA Grech

Mar 10th 2010, 10:22

Lourdes in Malta !!!! lol

Ivan Falzon

Mar 10th 2010, 10:17

I don't know...but when I was at school they took us to a nearby hard rock quarry and the teacher told us that before all the machinery came in, they used to cut rock manually. They used to fill rock fissures with water, so the next day it would be easier to cut.

maybe the teacher was wrong....maybe i got it wrong! maybe....

MSciberras

Mar 10th 2010, 09:55

@ R Muscat

That was normal condensation

@ J Farrugia

You are probably right

@ Stefan Spiteri

Emigrate if you don't like it so much. No doubt you are one of those who like to pen letters captioned 'only in Malta' right?????

I suspect that there is a way of establishing where this water comes from...........but it is very very very expensive and the technology may not be readily available in malta. It would be interesting if The Times solicits the opinion of an expert in this regard. But please.....not a Musumeci.........!!!!!

Eric Gahn

Mar 10th 2010, 09:49

a) I also remember when it was just a drop coming through.

b) This is not about catching this water and routing it to drainage channels. This is about finding the source and tackling it. At the rate that water is pouring (like a waterfall) it indicates a large reservoir somewhere. Water weighs 1Kg/ltr that is a LOT of weight so that must be a heavy reservoir possibly hanging over an empty space (the tunnel).

c) Water has an ability to weaken any structure meaning that we cannot just base ourselves on the structural integrity offered by the tunnel itself.

d) This is the second such incident with a large volume of water seeping through. When will it be investigated seriously? Have any cores been drilled? Seismic activity studied? Is the geology above teh tunnels poperly known?

e) WHO IS REPSONSIBLE if the tunnel falls in and people die?

Dr Andrew Azzopardi

Mar 10th 2010, 09:42

i can't believe no damage is being done to the tunnel...apart from that I passed through the tunnel y'day and i saw one or two cars swerving as soon as they passed through that part of the tunnel - no rain = no leaking ...rain = leaking water ...therefore, rain and leaking are related - who knows, this may help ?!

C Calleja

Mar 10th 2010, 09:35

water leakage in st venera-under investigation, trab iswed-under investigation, st.julians bridge false contractor report-under investigation, bwsc corruption allegation-under investigation.And thats from the last few days headlines.Dear Govt, do you ever conclude anything on this blessed island?or are we waiting for some tragic event before we take action (re sta venera tunnels).From my part , I am observing and will judge come election time.(floating voter)

Marco Desira

Mar 10th 2010, 09:34

Water caused the quarry wall to fall at Mqabba .... whoever is saying that water will not cause problems in this tunnel should be very very sure of him/herself.... lives could be at stake here

T.Agius

Mar 10th 2010, 09:31

veru ahna tas-sold - xelin meta ma nafux min fejn nizel dan l - imbierek ilma ... go mina bhal din .
kieku insaqsu il e.u ghal xi grant halli nixtru il - putty halli insoddu it-toqob li hemm.

P Borg

Mar 10th 2010, 09:30

I think that the source is a crack in the gibjun which links the akwadott (which is just above the tunnels) built by the Knights of Malta all the way through Hamrun to Valletta .

R Marquette

Mar 10th 2010, 09:29

Quoting the last paragraph of the article:

"In October, a spokesman for the WSC had said that if the source of the leak was not identified by the end of October, the authorities would consider attaching a water catchment system to divert the leak to drainage channels running along the tunnel’s sides."

- this happens ONLY IN MALTA ... instead of identifying the problem and solving it accordingly, we'll conceal it and wait until a couple of lives are lost in that tunnel! then after a tragedy, like every past case on this island, the appropriate action will be taken (but it will be too late!) ... finally, the authorities will express their condolences and everyone will say he's sorry and bla bla bla ...

Steven Borg

Mar 10th 2010, 09:23

I can predict that when a section of the tunnel structure fails( or falls on a passing car ) this will be looked in to buy the concerning authorities

kristina said

Mar 10th 2010, 09:18

Ghost water!!! What a mystery no one knows where its coming from??? Are we serious??

m.baldacchino

Mar 10th 2010, 09:12

What a disgrace!
When are the local counsil going to intervene ? After the tunnel collapses under a family?
Then what? apologies all round and excuses left right and centre?
this is disgusting.

Stefan Spiteri

Mar 10th 2010, 09:01

Why we have nothing perfect !!!small island,small brain...shame mbasta EU EU....no roads no nature.....waste of time in malta...Water pouring down in tunnel again VIVA safety.

J Farrugia

Mar 10th 2010, 09:01

For a first aide to all motorists, notices must be put up to bring to the attention of all drivers to DRIVE WITH CAUTION INSIDE THIS TUNNEL AND AVOID SPEEDING when water pours down from the roof of this tunnel. If need be this important artery should be closed IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, since accidents do happen and we surely dont want in inferno inside this tunnel.

J Farrugia

Mar 10th 2010, 08:57

The transport regulator ruled out that the fissures could be a threat to the tunnel. “Transport Malta has engaged the services of a structural engineer to assess and closely monitor the structural stability of the tunnel. The fissures are not a threat to the structural integrity and stability of the tunnel.” - I am no authority on this matter, but seems to me that such a fissure IS A THREAT to the stability of this tunnel. We have seen it happening before in other countries, and we pray to God that IT WONT HAPPEN HERE. The roof comes crashing down with a vengeance on top of unsuspecting motorists. This case of seeping water from somewhere, must be solved before it's too late to do anything. I dont want to sound alarmist but first it was just a trickle of water, now its a fountain. It's been growing now for some months. This tunnel is now a constant danger.

Paul Barrett

Mar 10th 2010, 08:56

Apart from finding the source of the leak which is proving difficult, I would have thought that it would not be too expensive or difficult to make an aluminum type of reverse trough to catch and direct the water to the side of the road and thus eliminate the danger of suddenly hitting this downpour and the risk of an accident, plus of course the damage to the road surface from the water.

R. Muscat

Mar 10th 2010, 08:43

Some 10 years ago I used to pass every day from this tunnel and sometimes a drop of water used to fall on my windsrean. So this problem goes back to the 20th century!

joe scerri

Mar 10th 2010, 08:37

and there are some suggesting we dig a tunnel between Malta and Gozo......