Juan Ameen
Traffic control exercise backfires badly in Msida
Long queues of traffic formed in Msida on Wednesday after the flyover leading to Valletta was sealed off in an exercise preventing drivers from switching lanes. Photo: Jason Borg
Drivers may no longer be able to use the small flyover at Msida circus as a shortcut into Gżira, via Rue d’Argens, because the lane may be sectioned off to prohibit a left turn and only allow traffic to head towards Valletta.
In fact, sealing off the lane was tried on Wednesday using water-filled plastic barriers – an exercise that had not been announced and caused a headache to hundreds of drivers who got stuck in long tailbacks.
But the traffic jams and confusion that reigned during the day were also caused by drivers’ lack of discipline and ignorance of road signs, Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat insisted.
“That flyover is only meant to be used for people who want to drive towards Msida or to Valletta and not as a shortcut to drive up into Rue d’Argens,” he explained.
The lane leading to the flyover is clearly marked with white paint, just beyond the Msida traffic lights, as being the one drivers must use if heading to Valletta. Overhead, a large blue traffic sign calls on drivers to choose their lane. Also, a large sign was placed at the very beginning of the flyover this week, clearly telling drivers that it was for Valletta only, Mr Brincat explained.
However, many drivers ignore instructions and bypass the two sets of traffic lights that lie opposite the Regional Road leading up to the University roundabout. Drivers heading to Gżira are meant to pass through the right-hand lights and not the flyover.
“Many drivers who want to turn into Rue D’Argens don’t use the traffic lights but use the flyover instead and then try to turn left, which is a very dangerous manoeuvre,” he said. Not only does it cause “great inconvenience” to motorists on the other two lanes but also jams the traffic flow.
To make matters worse, the parking spaces in front of the Labour Party club prevent buses from docking neatly into the bus stop, further snarling the traffic, and a pedestrian crossing just beyond the police station is positioned on a four-lane bend.
The flyover will not be sealed off completely because it is the only road that drivers can resort to when the area is flooded with rainwater. Mr Brincat explained that a small wall around two inches high or removable bollards may be placed on the road just off the flyover as the lane passes by perpendicular to Rue d’Argens.
Another two vital factors that were needed was an educational campaign and traffic lights properly timed to prevent long queues of cars leading up to the University roundabout, he said.
He could not describe Wednesday’s “trial” as a success or failure, because it was still early to say. However, the final decision would be taken by Transport Malta, as the competent authority, following discussions and consultations.
Although he did mention the trial exercise on a radio programme 10 days earlier, Mr Brincat admitted that perhaps they could have been more proactive in informing the public about sealing the flyover.
Msida Mayor Clifton Grima said the council was not consulted and informed about the sealing of the flyover, which had caused a lot of traffic.
“However, the residents live in a highly polluted environment and the council will take note of each measure that will help improve the traffic flow in the area,” he said.
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Malcolm Felix
Mar 7th 2011, 06:16
Quoting,
"caused by drivers’ lack of discipline and ignorance of road signs, Assistant Commissioner Josie Brincat insisted."
Dear Josie Brincat,
Where are your boys to educate people and force discipline that we are so in need? I haven't seen a traffic police man in the streets for months!!!
Franco Farrugia
Mar 4th 2011, 16:23
Dr Brincat, I am one who loves discipline on the streets; and I am one who is a fan of the work that you do, believe me, but I cannot agree with you here. I am a very, very frequent user of this area, and it is a fact that we, drivers, have much to look out for, than traffic-signs in this area, especially when it comes to cross three lanes within a very short distance. We have to look out for on-coming traffic behind us, and so, the fact that drivers ignore road-signs, IN THIS CASE, is totally due to the hectic traffic there always is.
C Cassar
Mar 4th 2011, 14:57
as well as fining ALL drivers that are breaking road regulations in this area, I would also suggest making the same drivers wait at least 2 hours before being allowed to move off again. That would teach them a lesson that they desperately need.
john Fenech
Mar 4th 2011, 13:45
Suggestions to the ADT:
• Close this short-cut lane with a bollard, which could be removed in case of emergency situations. Or Install a traffic light synchronised to the traffic lights which control the traffic flow from Msida Valley/Valletta/Pieta towards Rue D’Argens/Valletta
• Relocate the controlled pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Rue D’Argens 20 Metres further up the road.
• Clear the bus top from obstructing parked vehicles
Install Synchronised Intelligent traffic lights to facilitate safe and efficient traffic flow from the North traffic grid towards the south bond traffic grid. The present traffic control lights are set for the same release pattern for all traffic conditions which tend to increase the traffic density at bottle neck locations creating avoidable traffic jams.
A case in point is the daily situation at the bottom of regional road where the traffic police manual control the traffic lights to ease the incoming north traffic towards the South traffic grid.
Robert Attard
Mar 4th 2011, 13:32
Same is happening at the traffic lights leading to Ta' Giorni/St. Julians in front of the Independent, especially in the morning rush hour. Road is clearly marked Ta' Giorni/St.Julians, but many selfish drivers use the Ta' Giorni lane to by pass all the long traffic que leading to Mrabat Street in St. Julians, causing a bottle neck, more traffic havoc and frustrations to drivers who have been waiting in the que for the lights to change!!
DVella
Mar 4th 2011, 13:22
That raised section of road (it is not a flyover) was NEVER intended for vehicles turning left towards Rue D'Argens . . . it only became an established practice through the sheer irresponsibility and ignorance of some drivers and the total uselessness of our authorities! The lanes for vehicles turning up towards Rue D'Argens are those in the second, right hand set of traffic lights.
Having said that, the layout of the raised section is very poorly designed. Extending the barrier enclosing the vehicle lane to a point beyond the Rue D'Argens turnoff would prevent it from being misused and would be a very simple undertaking . . . it should have been done years ago !
Daniel Vella (Touring Club Malta)
Mar 4th 2011, 12:25
Of course drivers travelling to their destination during the morning rush hour are not important. These are the last thing to consider. These only want to take shortcuts and break the rules as long as they arrive where they have to arrive. They have no rights. How so typically 3rd world way of doing things!!!! As if there are no traffic flow simulation software packages available on the market. And if everybody seems to be using this fly-over badly to go to Rue d'Argens isn't it clear that there was something missing like proper signage or road markings or even educational promotions? That fly-over was a farse since its creation and still continues to create problems even after several years have passed. This was a really disguasting way of conducting a surprise "Trial". And as a last thing may I express my sympathy with all those who arrived late to their workplace on that day.
R. Azzopardi
Mar 4th 2011, 12:14
I was one of the idiots who had the habit of practicing this dangerous manoevre until someone recently shook a fist at me and told me that i was in the wrong.
Phil Pryce
Mar 4th 2011, 20:52
Many drivers shake their fist at you when THEY are in the wrong. I evan had a guy in a van shaking his fist at ME when he had just pulled straight out of a side road in front of me. Clearly, sounding my horn at him was most selfish of me!!
Adrian Borg Cardona
Mar 4th 2011, 11:52
Yesterday afternoon I drove through this part of Msida - and cars were still coming over the flyover, going across three lanes -some without indicators, of course - and up Rue D'Argens. Notwithstanding the signs and the publicity, some Maltese drivers could not careless. What about stationing a couple of police men there to direct traffic and give out a few fines?
C Bartolo
Mar 4th 2011, 13:57
how ironic that Msida police station is right on that corner. i have also seen on a number of occasions police/wardens in the area, they are obviously unaware of the rules themselves lol
m busuttil
Mar 4th 2011, 10:31
Some points to consider
1. the lane over the flyover is meant for drivers coming mainly from valletta DIRECTED BACK to Valletta - does this make sense? hardly
2. to enforce the above without creating more traffic congestion, the light at the beginning of rue d'argen should be removed at once. they are dangerous for pedestrians and drivers.
"The flyover will not be sealed off completely because it is the only road that drivers can resort to when the area is flooded with rainwater"
1. when this happens no one should go near msida valley.
2. if one gets near the flooded part, it would be too late by then to go back and use this lane.
Joe Cordina
Mar 4th 2011, 10:23
I just woder what is the percentage of vehilces that actually need to turn back to valletta using that flyover? Most of the vehicles passing that way are headed towards Gzira/Sliema
m attard
Mar 4th 2011, 09:47
Ara... qomtu fl-ahhar!!
T. Azzopardi
Mar 4th 2011, 09:40
Finally !!!! about time. Most of the traffic conjestion was being caused by these drivers that try to be cunning ! Maltese drivers are so ignorant and selfish! Points should be deducted from their driving licence like they do in Italy!