The Malta Transport Authority said it will be imposing financial penalties for misconduct, as stipulated in the St Paul's Bay bypass contract, after the contractor carrying out construction works on the road along the southbound carriageway closed the bypass to vehicular traffic without its approval on Wednesday.

The ADT informed the contractor he should immediately submit a detailed traffic management plan for its approval and that failure to submit such would leave it with no option but to take further action.

Additionally, the ADT asked the contractor to draw up a detailed programme of events and milestones to be tackled daily until the completion of the works.

It said that, in view of the closure of the southbound carriageway in the direction from Xemxija to Erba' Mwieżeb roundabout, Burmarrad, vehicular traffic from Xemxija in the direction towards Valletta would be diverted through Għajn Tuffieħa Road, Sir Temi Zammit Street, Mġarr, Mosta Road onto San Pawl tal-Qlejja roundabout, Mosta.

The northbound carriageway will remain open to vehicular traffic (Burmarrad direction to Xemxija) for the duration of the works.