Four months after a small truck almost fell from the Regional Road bridge when it smashed through the concrete railings, the barriers remain in disrepair.

More than a month ago, a report by structural engineer Alex Torpiano established that the railings were not safe and recommended they be replaced with a “properly designed metal vehicle restraint system”.

However, the only concrete action taken so far has been a precautionary measure: high-visibility plastic barriers have been placed in front of the railings while a concrete slab has been put down at the point of impact.

After the accident, Transport Malta had said that, following the submission of the report in mid-February, works would be carried out.

When questioned this week, however, it said the works were in the “procurement stage” and that it was targeting the beginning of June to start the work on site, “subject to no appeals being filed during the procurement stage”.

It said it would communicate a works plan when this is finalised but, in the meantime, “TM has also ensured that the area is safe for use until works commence”.

A government source said a call for tenders had not yet been issued.

On January 5, Philip Curmi, 41, was on his way to Ibraġ when the van he was driving skidded, crashed into the bridge railing on his left as his truck gained momentum and then smashed through the right hand side. This left the van – with him and his colleague Simon Azzopardi inside – jutting out in mid-air until they were rescued by other drivers who stopped by to help.

Contacted by The Times, Prof. Torpiano said it was “important that the road is done as quickly as possible”, but that this could be hindered by the tendering process, which because of Maltese laws took long.

“There is no danger as long as you’re in control, so you have to drive at a low speed,” he said.

He said the high-visibility barriers were effective visually as well as to absorb impact.

However, another architect, Claude Mallia, is concerned that debris falling from the crumbling railings could damage cars passing below.

Mr Mallia also questioned the government’s priorities: “When a pope or a queen visits, roadworks get done with a click of the fingers. When it comes to issues of safety, we take our time.”

This does not seem to be the case worldwide, however. In Japan, parts of which had been destroyed by the earthquake and the following tsunami, the Great Kanto highway, which had been shredded by the quake, was rebuilt in a mere six days.