An underground road network might be just what Malta needs.
There has been a lot of talk recently about alternative transport solutions, including, among others, a monorail system – a proposal frequently espoused by developer Anġlu Xuereb. Ignoring feasibility issues, there is very little to dislike about a fully-fledged monorail network.
But Xuereb’s recently updated proposal envisages a €300 million rail system which is very limited in scope – consisting only of four centrally-located stations and, consequently, catering to a very small percentage of the population.
Why would anyone who lives south or north of any of the stations make use of the system?
Assuming the journey is from Marsascala to the university, for example, in what way would driving to Fgura (where Xuereb proposes one of the stations should be located), searching for a parking spot, parking, walking to the station, waiting for the tram, stopping at Mater Dei Hospital (which is where another station would be located), then walking (or catching the bus) to the university be more convenient or efficient than a single car ride from Marsascala straight to the university?
An underground road network would certainly cost more than €300 million but, at least, it would cater for virtually the entire population.
Just imagine: a two- or four-lane motorway spanning the entire length of the island with a series of intersections leading to the main urban areas. No roundabouts, no traffic lights, no stops – only intersections built to the highest specifications.
Underground roads would free up surface space and put a halt to the building of new roads and widening of existing ones, which keep eating up on our countryside.
An additional annual licence fee could be introduced for private cars using the system, ensuring a balance between above-ground and underground traffic, while incentivising more people to use public transport, which would be rendered way more desirable thanks to significantly shorter journey times.
Underground road networks are nothing new. Extensive tunnel networks are found in Germany (above), Belgium, France and Spain, among others. The government of Singapore – a country that faces similar limitations to Malta – is studying the possibility of an extensive underground network.