The Marsascala Bypass was reopened this morning following an investment of €9.6 million, including €6.2 million forked out by the European Union.

Transport Minister Austin Gatt said that the south was now benefitting from major road projects, which also included Valletta Road, Zurrieq, on which work was progressing well.

Since Malta became an EU member, €37 million were invested in arterial road projects. This did not include the extensive patching works in the network and work on local roads.

The minister said that there was currently an appeal on the tender for four important projects. This would determine whether the financial package would be opened or if the partial technical evaluation process would have to be restarted.

Once all adjudication processes are concluded, works would be able to start on Garibaldi Street, Luqa, Council of Europe Road, Marfa Road, the road leading from Tal-Hniena to Victoria, Gozo and the first part of the the Sea Passenger terminal road in Marsa.

Preparations would then be embarked upon for works to start on the Mellieha Bypass and on the underpass from December 13 Road, Marsa to Menqa.

The preparations for the studies connected to the Kappara junction and eventually the Coast Road from Pembroke to St Paul’s Bay were currently being undertaken.

Dr Gatt said that works on 26 kilometres of road would have been started on completed between 2005 and 2013.

The minister said that the work on the Marsascala bypass was concluded only 28 days after the target finish date and this was partially due to a change in drainage plans.

There were also additional works relating to services and the work had to be stopped for some time because it was believed there could be historic remains.

The work was also completed according to the budget which was allocated for it, except for a minimal difference because of an increase in services.