Mtarfa bypass has been closed to traffic, again, because of the Mdina Grand Prix. But I asked myself: why is it closed already?

Last Friday, I saw the road being resurfaced. Mtarfa bypass, although not a state-of-the-art road, is still one of the best in Malta. I’m sure readers are able to mention dozens of roads in a disastrous state that cry out for repairs and resurfacing.

Yet, Transport Malta decided to spend money on an already decent road. And if it really needed resurfacing, why do it for the Grand Prix organisers and not for the rest of the population?

Last year, I was also outraged at the repairs that had been carried out to the roundabout leading to the bypass prior to the Grand Prix. The asphalt had melted there and it became dangerous, particularly for bikers with all the humps. Nothing was done for years until a few days before the race. So it wasn’t safe for a few people who got permission to use a public road as a race track but it was fine for all the thousands of people who used this road everyday! The reason I was given by one of the organisers, who did not like the term ‘privileged’, was: “I’m sure you’re aware the election is round the corner, so Transport Malta is working like never before” (October 13, 2012).

What’s the excuse this time?

Being a car enthusiast myself and used to being part of an organising group of a local modified cars club, I must say that we never received such privileged treatment. Sometimes, we even encountered obstacles when organising a simple car show, let alone having a road resurfaced and access to residents and business closed for four days. Last year, weather warnings were ignored leaving the only access through Nigret (gets easily flooded) and Chadwick Lakes.