Work on December 13 Road in Marsa, which resumed last Tuesday causing long delays around Blata l-Bajda and Ħamrun, will be completed in February.
The project started towards the end of 2011 and was expected to take just under a year. The authorities later said it would be completed this year following a revised programme that took into account all delays.
Until yesterday, Transport Malta’s website said work on the underpass from December 13 Road to the Sea Passenger Terminal in Marsa is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2013.
But the authority told The Times that the works would be completed by the end of February.
A spokeswoman noted that works resumed now after they were suspended during the first week of November as the scale and sensitivity of the excavation works could not be carried out during winter.
The remaining work includes the preparation of underground support for the northbound carriageway, to allow excavations in the southbound carriageway to form the vehicular underpass linking December 13 to the Sea Passenger Terminal Road.
In a few months’ time, traffic will be diverted onto the new southbound carriageway and excavations will proceed onto the northbound carriageway.
For the coming months, however, during peak hours motorists have to put up with traffic jams spanning from St Anne’s Street in Floriana to St Joseph High Road in Ħamrun on one side, and Marsa on the other.
According to a count taken between noon and 2pm, peak hour traffic flows on this main road are estimated to reach 1,900 vehicles headed to Marsa, while some 3,300 vehicles head to Valletta between 7.15am and 9.15am, according to Transport Malta.
Since the southbound carriageway has been closed to traffic, most motorists heading to Marsa take a left turn at the Blata l-Bajda traffic lights in the direction of the Falzon Waste Oil depot, which leads to the Menqa roundabout.
Others head southbound via Qormi and the Mrieħel bypass through Ħamrun, creating traffic jams along St Joseph High Street where double parking is common. But Transport Malta yesterday issued a poster indicating four alternative routes towards the Menqa roundabout junction to alleviate congestion.
It said enforcement officers, aided by the police, were stationed at key junctions along the Valletta/Floriana to Marsa diversion route to direct traffic.
Officers have also been stationed at strategic points to ensure there are no traffic obstructions caused by double parking, for example.
Transport Malta is constantly monitoring the traffic situation, including spillage towards Ħamrun, and will deploy enforcement officers along this route “as and when necessary”.
“It is pertinent to note that unfortunately there are no other diversion options as December 13 Road is the only major southbound thoroughfare linking Valletta and Floriana to Marsa,” the spokeswoman said.
Most of the works will not be carried out at night because of the close proximity of the Marsa residential community to the construction site.
Other works not generating noise that might disturb residents, like concreting, may be carried out at night.
Asked why the whole southbound carriageway was closed and whether one lane could have been left open, the spokes-woman said the works necessitated complete closure.
These works include a major excavation for the formation of the underpass structure across December 13 Road.
The road will also be completely reconstructed and realigned.
Choose your lane
Route 1: from St Anne Road proceed towards the Lion’s Fountain and take a left at the St Francis Ravelin Traffic Light Junction (Mepa offices) down Emvin Cremona Street (licensing offices) to Spencer Hill and the Menqa roundabout junction
Route 2: proceed down St Anne and National roads, take a left at the Traffic Light Junction off Portes de Bombes (Blata l-Bajda park-and-ride), proceed towards the roundabout junction at Spencer Hill and down towards the Menqa roundabout junction
Route 3: from Floriana area (Police Depot/Education Department) proceed down L-Assedju l-Kbir Road (past Excelsior Hotel), Marsamxett (Il-Baviera) and Il-Mediterran roads, Xatt il-Barriera (Il-Pixkerija) and Xatt Lascaris (Valletta Waterfront) in the direction towards the Menqa roundabout junction.
Route 4: from Castille Place proceed towards the War Memorial roundabout junction, take a left down Crucifix Hill (Boffa Hospital) and Pinto (Valletta Waterfront) Street in the direction towards the Menqa roundabout junction.