A three-year, €4.2m extension of the flood relief project to Zebbug has been completed, ridding many Zebbug streets of rainwater flooding.

At the heart of the project is a system of 16km of galleries, three metres wide, through which rainwater will flow underground from Zebbug to Qormi and then to Marsa, with the water being discharged in Marsa creek. The latest extension is 2.3km long.

The project was started in the last months of the former administration and continued by the present one.  

The galleries in Qormi were completed some months ago.

Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi thanked all those involved in the work, most of which was handled during the night for the least possible disruption. He said the project was delayed following the discovery of a wartime shelter. A gallery had to be re-aligned as a result.  

The project also involved embellishment works in some areas of Zebbug.

Mr Mizzi said a branch of the flood relief project in Zabbar will be completed within a few weeks.

Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg, who is responsible for EU funds, said 400m of culverts had been built from Triq 12 ta’ Mejju to Triq il-Kbira.