Motorists driving through Sir Paul Boffa Avenue in Paola today will be the first Maltese drivers to test a tidal lane system.
The tidal lane is a system that changes the direction of traffic in one lane to maximise the capacity of the road. Paola's trial is a first for Malta.
Transport Malta will change the lane direction every day at 9pm to provide three lanes heading to Valletta during the following morning. The lane direction will revert to two lanes in either direction at 2pm.
Retractable bollards will control the direction of the lane from both sides. A set of bollards will be lowered and another raised guiding vehicles to access the lane from one direction or the other.
Fixed bollards will delineate the transitional lane, making it impossible for vehicles to veer off in the wrong direction. Traffic lights have also been installed to stop cars from accidentally going over raising bollards. The bollards will only be raised after officials visually ascertain no cars are approaching.
Transport Malta asks drivers to follow signs and drive with caution especially during these first days of a new system for Malta.