Three arterial roads have been quietly reopened to traffic after a year of closure which left motorists fuming.

Council of Europe and Garibaldi Streets in Marsa/Luqa and Triq l-Għassara ta ' l-Għeneb, the road which leads from Marsa to Valletta Waterfront, have been rebuilt by Transport Malta in an €18m project. 85% of the funds were granted by the EU.

The roads have been totally transformed, with stronger foundations, new underground ducts for rainwater drainage and other services, and smoother surfaces. LED street lighting is being used in some areas, a first for Malta.

The surfacing of parts of Marfa Road - the road which leads to Cirkewwa, has started. A reader, who sent this picture, wondered, however, how the carriageway to Cirkewwa has one lane while that towards Ghadira is two-lane.

There is also new, improved signposting and new boundary walls. Some trees, which were considered a hazard for motorists, have been uprooted and replanted elsewhere.

The roads form part of the EU's Ten-T network.

Work is now concentrated on other roads forming part of the network, including the Mellieha By-pass, the road to Cirkewwa and part of the Xewkija-Victoria road. The latter two are expected to be completed by mid summer, by which time a lane in the Mellieha by-pass is also expected to be in use.