Works announced last October on the tidal lane traffic system in Marsa to alleviate rush hour gridlock near the Addolorata Cemetery junction are yet to start, in spite of assurances to the contrary.

In January, a Transport Malta spokesman told this newspaper that works were due to commence “in the coming days”, but no visible progress has been noted since then.

When asked to explain the delay, the traffic watchdog insisted to the Times of Malta that works had actually started, even though it was not specified to which part of the project the spokesman was referring.

“The works started immediately and we are now awaiting the delivery of ITS [intelligent traffic system] components,” he said.

Announced by the Prime Minister during a parliamentary debate on the traffic situation, the project will introduce a reversible lane in Sir Paul Boffa Avenue, which links Corradino to Marsa. This would make it possible to dedicate three of the four lanes of this arterial road to Valletta-bound traffic from 9pm to 2am to cater for the morning rush hour.

Three days after the Prime Minister’s announcement, Transport Malta issued a call for quotations, of which the one submitted by Q-Free Traffiko at €235,000 was chosen.

It raised eyebrows, as procurement regulations state that any project worth more than €120,000 should be granted by tender

Though it was the cheapest of the three bids, it raised eyebrows, as public procurement regulations state that any project worth more than €120,000 should be granted by tender through the Contracts Department. In this case the call for quotes for the supply, delivery and installation of a tidal lane system was issued by Transport Malta.

The latter, however, insisted that it had not breached any procurement regulations, while pointing out that this was the first-ever project of its kind in Malta.

“The original estimate was calculated at €100,000, and thus a call for quotations was issued in line with regulations and following approval by the Ministry of Finance. The call for quotations was published in the same manner as an open tender, with offers received in a sealed envelope at an appointed date and time,” the spokesman said.

He added that the offers had been evaluated by a committee with a chairman, secretary and three members, who awarded the job to a compliant bid, which was also the cheapest.

“The general contracts committee within the Contracts Department confirmed, and thus Q-Free Traffiko was awarded the contract,” the transport watchdog said.

The tidal lane will be controlled by a set of traffic lights and a number of mechanical bollards, which will be automatically lowered when the need arises.

The project also includes the installation of “dynamic” road markings, such as cat’s eyes, as safety measures.

The winning bidder will be bound to finish the project within four weeks from the issuance of the commencement order by Transport Malta.