Work has started at Wied Incita, Attard, on the drilling of a rainwater gallery all the way to Ta’ Xbiex.

Resources Minister George Pullicino, writing in his blog, said the recent floods  continued to justify the Government’s decision to embark on this €56 million project.

The tunnel will handle rainwater channelled from Attard, Balzan, Lija, Birkirkara and the surrounding areas. The water will be directed towards reservoirs or dumped at Ta’ Xbiex.

The 11km tunnel will be as high as three storeys in some parts. Its purpose is to stop the frequent flooding in Birkirkara, Msida and Balzan.

A branch will handle rainwater coming from Kappara and San Gwann and which today floods Gzira. Similar projects are planned to collect rainwater in the areas of Zebbug, Qormi and Marsa, as well as Zabbar and Marsascala.

Mr Pullicino said the drilling of the tunnel is expected to take two years. The project will be able to collect up to 700,000 cubic metres of water.

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