A traffic diversion due to resurfacing works along the Xemxija front yesterday morning caused mayhem, made worse by undisciplined motorists and lack of enforcement.

Coordinated by Transport Malta, the project along Triq il-Pwales started on Monday night and is expected to be completed by Saturday.

The work consists of scarifying the existing arterial road, which is in a very bad state, laying of concrete and finally the resurfacing job itself.

In recent days Transport Malta announced that all northbound traffic from St Paul’s Bay and Mġarr would be diverted to Triq il-Miżieb and Manikata.

For this reason, traffic in Triq il-Miżieb was temporarily restricted to one direction only heading towards Mellieħa, while all traffic from Mellieħa to St Paul’s Bay was diverted through Xemxija.

The arrangement did not apply to buses and heavy vehicles.

However, the diversion hit a major glitch on Tuesday as motorists from the Mellieħa bypass ignored the one-way signs and entered Triq il-Miżieb. The narrow spaces along this country road meant that vehicles struggled to negotiate their way through.

The situation was partially remedied as Transport Malta officials were spotted at the entrance of Triq il-Miżieb to ensure that motorists abided by the temporary arrangements.

Traffic congestion was also reported in Manikata, which is the only alternative route for northbound traffic. The Times of Malta also received reports that Xemxija residents met problems accessing their homes by car.

Transport Malta said it was currently working on the phased upgrade of the main road link between St Paul's Bay and the northernmost part of Malta, including Mellieħa, Manikata, Limbordin, Għadira, Armier and the Gozo and Comino sea transport terminals at Marfa and Ċirkewwa.

The first part of the project includes the rebuilding of part of Triq il-Pwales, along the inner part of Xemxija Bay. This part of the road is being excavated, so that its foundations can be rebuilt, before it is resurfaced with new layers of asphalt. TM said.

At the same time, while the northbound lane of this route to Mellieha was closed, TM was also carrying out infrastructural works at Triq il-Mistra, as part of a process to evaluate and consolidate the stability of the old stone bridge located in this road, linking Xemxija and Mellieħa.

This work also formed part of the preparations for the eventual rebuilding of Triq il-Mistra and Selmun Hill. The authority has also finalised plans to upgrade the Mellieħa Bypass, along the same Xemxija-Mellieħa-Ċirkewwa route.

Infrastructural works to rebuild the Mellieħa Bypass is expected to commence shortly.

It said that where possible, most of the ongoing works at Xemxija and Mistra were being carried out at night, to reduce inconvenience to commuters travelling in the area

As an additional measure to reduce disruptions to road users, only one lane was being closed at any one time. The southbound lane of this road would remain open at all times. TM officials were on site to assist road users.

Road users travelling north towards Mellieħa, Ċirkewwa and other nearby areas were being directed to an alternative northbound route, along the road through Limbordin and Miżieb.

This road was currently open in this direction only, to improve vehicular flows. To avoid delays, commuters travelling in the other direction, from Ċirkewwa, Għadira, Armier and Mellieha towards Xemxija and St Paul’s Bay were encouraged to another alternative route, along Triq il-Mellieħa towards Manikata and Għajn Tuffieħa.

Signs to signpost these alternative routes were installed a few days ago, but left covered until Tuesday morning, in readiness for the works. 

Transport Malta also noted that some drivers were not following the signs advising that the southbound direction of the Miżieb road was temporarily closed.

Additional officials were dispatched on site to make sure that the signposted traffic directions were observed.

Transport Malta said it was monitoring the progress of the by its contractors, to ensure that they were completed safely, and without delay. At the same time, it would also maintain its officials on site to assist road users as necessary.

Furthermore, without traffic policemen or road marshals to ensure that drivers respected the diversion, the situation was rendered even worse.

Transport Malta statement