It was 1972 when a government last studied the option of a bridge linking Malta and Gozo.
The unfavourable results of that study closed the lid on the subject for almost 40 years but it did not dampen the Gozitans’ yearning to have a permanent link.
Two years ago the Government rekindled the debate by proposing a sub-sea tunnel. A pre-feasibility study released last year showed that a tunnel link would reduce the crossing time from 25 minutes to 8 minutes by car and cut the average journey time by at least 40 minutes.
A more in-depth study will now have to take place that will be partly financed by the EU. The renewed interest has also prompted the current administration to enter into an agreement with a Chinese company to conduct a separate feasibility study for a bridge link (see separate story).
If something is beneficial to the country there is no need for a referendum
Much of the debate has focused on whether the projects are technically possible and economically viable but Gozo Minister Anton Refalo this week opened up a tangential debate when proposing a referendum on the matter.
If the projects prove feasible, should it just be the Gozitans who decide on the preferred option or should the consultation rope in all taxpayers?
The argument may be a moot point at this stage when detailed studies still have to be concluded but Joseph Borg, who heads the subcommittee on the Gozo-Malta permanent link of the Gozo Chamber of Commerce, believes a referendum is not necessary. He argues that a permanent link is beneficial not only to Gozo but is a matter of national interest.
“If something is beneficial to the country there is no need for a referendum but that is a political choice and I will not enter into the merits of that debate,” he said.
Mr Borg said Gozo needed a permanent link because 60 per cent of first-time Gozitan home buyers were relocating to Malta. “Gozo has an ageing population.”
While the business case for Gozo may have strong foundations, Mr Borg also believes that a bridge or tunnel will enable Malta to recoup one-fifth of its territory that will now become more accessible.
He insists this will benefit the economy and not just Gozo.
The pre-feasibility study by Transport Malta published last year showed that the number of vehicles crossing between the two islands in 2010 topped 1,500 each direction per day.
A tunnel will increase the flow of traffic to 2,700 cars each way if a toll equivalent to the current ferry fee is charged.
But studies will have to delve deeper into the social, economic and environmental impacts of a bridge or tunnel, according to Vince Attard, the president of Nature Trust, a green group.
“From an environmental perspective we don’t agree with any of the options,” he says.
A tunnel will create tonnes of construction waste and have an impact on the environment as a result of the long approach roads required and a bridge will negatively affect the seabed and Comino, he adds.
Mr Attard believes that other ways of connecting the islands must be found such as a fast catamaran service to Valletta.
“A permanent link may also lead to some Gozitans losing out because people might feel they won’t have to stay overnight when visiting Gozo,” he said
But if push comes to shove and a referendum is held he believes Gozitans should be the ones to decide the issue because it is primarily their necessity to have better connectivity.
When signing the agreement with a Chinese company yesterday Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said some form of consultation will have to take place after the feasibility studies are over.
He said consultation had to include everyone but acknowledged that Gozitans had to be given more weight.
The referendum debate may take the backburner for the time being as the bigger question beckons: will Malta and Gozo ever be joined by a road link?
After four decades most Gozitans hope the answer will be Yes.
Whether their prayers will be answered is anybody’s guess.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com