A major project is set to alleviate traffic congestion at the Addolorata Cemetery area in Marsa by removing all traffic lights and roundabouts and building two flyovers and a bridge.
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi explained yesterday that the project, which will cost between €70 million and €80 million, is expe-cted to take two years to complete.
He would not give a potential start date, adding that the government and Transport Malta had only just submitted their plans to the planning authority.
“The government kept to its pre-election pledge of prioritising the problem of traffic congestion in the south of Malta,” he added.
Architect Edric Micallef explained the project would comprise three different levels staggered on top of each other.
One flyover will direct traffic coming from the Santa Luċija area directly to Aldo Moro Road, while another would lead to the opposite direction.
An exit lane in Labour Road will direct traffic towards the airport, while traffic flowing down from Corradino will in turn pass beneath the bridges.
Half the area, which will encompass 89,000 square metres, will be made up of soft landscaping with pedestrian areas and bicycle lanes, coupled with a pledge to plant more trees.
In effect, anyone coming from the direction of Paola will have direct and safe access to the Marsa sports facilities.
The project also includes a park-and-ride scheme for Valletta, with 250 new parking bays.
Charging points for electric cars were also being considered.
The minister said that following consultation with Malta Industrial Parks, it was decided that the project should include the relocation of two factories in Labour Street: Stainless Steel Products Ltd and Bim Ltd.
The government and Transport Malta have also communicated with Ten-T coordinator Pat Cox, convincing him that the project was essential for Malta and that EU funds were required, Mr Mizzi said. Mr Cox is expected to visit the islands.
“Our plan is for the project to have minimal impact during its construction. I am also pressing for construction work to be carried out on a 24-hour basis.”
Will this project solve the congestion in the south or could it risk bottlenecks in other areas? Times of Malta asks experts.
According to traffic management consultant Hugh Arnett, the grade separated junction will solve the problem “totally and utterly”.
“Flyovers are magic in Malta. When I left the UK in 1965, there were lots of new flyovers, none causing any further bottlenecks. It’s the ultimate solution if they have the necessary funds,” he said.
PRO of the Bicycle Advocacy Group Malta Jim Wightman believes the proposal is a good and positive step forward to alleviate traffic congestion.
“I haven’t examined detailed traffic flows but, offhandedly, when you get rid of one bottleneck somewhere, you’ll get one somewhere else,” Mr Wightman warned.
He was pleased to note the attention given to bicycle lanes, stating that it might encourage more people to use their bicycles and further reduce traffic congestion.
According to motoring journalist Tonio Darmanin, if the project is well-planned, there is no reason why traffic would accumulate elsewhere.
“Theoretically, the same number of cars will be passing through the area. The problem was that these vehicles were passing in front of the Addolorata at the same time and the same place.
“It makes a lot of sense if they could proceed smoothly without stopping at each junction.”