Road closures because of village feasts or for the placement of cranes may not be allowed in the localities around the Kappara junction when works on the project start in earnest.

Transport Minister Joe Mizzi told TVM discussion Times Talk yesterday that at some stage “decisions would have to be taken to stop certain activities” not to disrupt the alternative routes that will be used to ease traffic congestion while work on the Kappara junction is ongoing.

Architect Robert Zerafa from Transport Malta, responsible for the project, said any decisions to close roads in the localities around Kappara will have to be determined by the traffic board rather than local councils to ensure better coordination.

Mr Zerafa said the first major disruption as a result of junction works would happen in mid-July when the San Gwann-Gzira route at the Kappara roundabout will be closed.

Transport Malta has identified alternative routes in Gzira, San Gwann, Ta’ Xbiex and Swieqi, to ease congestion.

“On key alternative routes it will be pertinent to have maximum cooperation between all stakeholders not to block the road system,” Mr Zerafa said.

Works on the junction have started and are expected to continue for a year-and-a-half. The project will see a flyover connect, Regional Road as it exists from the University tunnels to the opposite end at Kappara, with a roundabout underneath at the San Gwann-Gzira crossroad.

Mr Zerafa said the flyover is expected to ease the demand on the roundabout by half. Figures show that at peak hours, the Kappara roundabout has a current demand of 6,000 cars per hour.

“The flyover will alleviate half this burden and help improve traffic flow in the area,” he said.

The Kappara junction is a major node on the road network and works are expected to create traffic mayhem in the area.

Mr Zerafa said the contractor will be building the bridge elsewhere and transport the sections on site to help minimize disruptions.

The architect said the project will also improve pedestrian facilities, making it easier for San Gwann and Gzira residents to commute between their localities.

Traffic safety expert Pierre Vella urged motorists to cooperate and use alternative routes by obeying the signage that has been put up.

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