Upgrading the Kennedy Drive project

Transport Malta has asked the public to comment on its proposal for the upgrading of the Kennedy Drive segment of the Coast Road project, stretching from Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq to St Paul’s Bay, which today is one of Malta’s main arterial roads.

...urgent traffic management improvements must be taken in hand...- Angelo Xuereb

My proposal is what I consider to be necessary for the upgrading of three major traffic junctions, and not just for the realignment of one section of this coastal road.

Any change must take into consideration the other urgent needs to improve the free flow of traffic between the Salina Coast Road and other roads leading to Naxxar, San Ġwann, Tal-Qroqq, Qawra, Burmarrad, Ċirkewwa, Buġibba and St Paul’s Bay. The plan must be all encompassing and also take into consideration the enlargement and upgrading of Kennedy Grove Park. The existing three areas adjacent to this park must be combined by removing the existing crossroads, while at the same time allocating adequate parking. This will offer a safer leisure park for families and their children.

Transport Malta’s option to retain the existing Kennedy Drive close to the Salini salt pans and the Succorso should be reconsidered. When this traffic junction was constructed, the free flow of seawater around the Salini salt pans (Succorso) was reduced to a mere one-metre width, therefore creating an almost complete blockage with dead seaweed, which resulted in stagnant water. This water channel constructed by the Knights of Malta must be widened to allow a good flow of seawater and a good flow of storm water since it is causing the flooding of Burmarrad plain. Furthermore, this low water channel around Salini could also be incorporated with the Kennedy Grove Park, thereby creating an environment which can be used by canoeists.

To ease the traffic jams in the Buġibba and Qawra areas, Transport Malta should also consider a low elevated bridge over the end sea wall of the Salini. This can connect Qawra with Salina with no crossing of the main road so as to avoid congestion. This will not affect the structure of Salini walls. Further road junctions at Qawra should also be improved.

I was surprised that Transport Malta has not considered the proper upgrading of the major traffic junction between the coast road and the road leading to Naxxar. When I was the mayor of Naxxar (during which period I was responsible for part of this area), I had already recommended a similar proposal.

I repeat, any new proposals must take into consideration that these three junctions are connecting the three main arterial roads, stretching from St Julian’s, Tal-Qroqq and Marsa to the Xemxija Bypass.

The present chaos of long queues of cars stretching for over two kilometres over the weekends at the bottleneck of these three major roads is proof that urgent traffic management improvements must be taken in hand soon.

I consider myself to have a good knowledge of Malta’s roads and traffic network and I urge Transport Malta to seriously consider this workable concept proposal in more detail.