Motorists driving into Valletta will no longer be able to access the capital through Pope Pius V Street, above City Gate, after May 1, when new traffic arrangements come into use.
On May 2, City Gate will start being demolished, which means one of the main entry points into Valletta will no longer exist.
David Sutton from Transport Malta, who unveiled the new permanent traffic arrangements, said more than 600 cars passed through Pope Pius V Street daily in the peak morning hours between 8.15 and 9.15. These cars will now be spread out across other entry points into the capital, with the main ones being St Paul Street (near Auberge de Castille) and St Mark Street (further up from Biago Steps).
“We do expect there will be confusion as usually happens with such projects until people familiarise themselves with new routes,” Mr Sutton said. He added that police officers and Transport Malta officials would be directing traffic for the first few weeks.
The road configuration within the city will remain largely the same, except for a few changes. The traffic in Archbishop Street will flow in the opposite direction to allow cars entering from St Paul Street to be able to cut through the capital.
The topmost part of Old Mint Street will be redirected uphill, towards St John Cavalier.
Residents close to City Gate and Hastings Gardens will be able to drive in through St Mark Street, take a left down Old Bakery Street, turn right into St John Street, circle the block through Strait Street, cross back up through Melita Street and from there access the Biago and Hastings areas.
Service vehicles will not be able to take this route, as some roads are too narrow. They will be able to enter the city by using the route used by the Park and Ride vans, and would be allowed limited access to pedestrianised areas.
Mr Sutton said the traffic arrangements were devised after studying various options, and taking into account the impact on the environment, congestion and traffic flow.
Between May 2 and 16, pedestrians entering Valletta (usually through City Gate) will be redirected, because the City Gate area will be closed for safety reasons during works.
Pedestrians will be able to pass through St James Ditch, take a passageway connected to the Central Bank and emerge on the top part of Ġlormu Cassar Avenue near Castille. This passage will be open between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. A shuttle service will be offered to people with mobility problems.