Works on the tidal lane traffic system in Sir Paul Boffa Avenue between Marsa and Paola, intended to alleviate rush hour congestion, are set to begin in the coming days, the transport watchdog has said.
Also known as a reversible lane, the system allows traffic to flow in different directions depending on the need.
The four-lane arterial road linking Corradino to the junction next to the Addolorata Cemetery will have three lanes dedicated to Valletta-bound traffic between 9pm and 2pm the following day.
The third lane would revert to the opposite direction in the remaining afternoon hours, meaning there would be two lanes in each direction.
The project had been announced last October by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat during a parliamentary debate requested by the Opposition, which called on the government to present a traffic management plan.
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil had warned that the constant gridlock had become a national issue as it was affecting the environment and the country’s competitiveness.
Three days after the Prime Minister’s announcement, Transport Malta had issued a call for quotations for the supply, delivery and installation of a tidal lane in this arterial road. Interested parties had been given just a week to submit their proposal, as the call closed on October 16.
Though the accelerated timeframe suggested that the system would be in place soon, three months down the line it seemed that the initial urgency had faded as the project has not yet materialised.
Contacted by the Times of Malta, a Transport Malta spokesman said three submissions had been received from KDM Traffic Limited, LBV Malta and Q-Free Traffiko. Though the latter submitted the cheapest offer at €235,000, the spokesman declined to say who had been awarded the contract.
“Transport Malta has recommended to award the contract to one of the bidders. The works are expected to start in the coming days once the contract is signed,” the spokesman said.
According to the specifications set in the call, the tidal lane will be automatically controlled by a set of traffic lights and a number of mechanical bollards, which will be automatically lowered when the need arises.
The project also includes the installation of “dynamic” road markings such as cat’s eyes as safety measures.
The winning bidder will be bound to finish the project within four weeks from the issue of the commencement order by Transport Malta.