An alternative route through Dock 7 will be opened to motorists during afternoon rush hours to help ease traffic congestion caused by the nearby Marsa junction project.

The thoroughfare is currently open to vehicles travelling in the direction of Valletta between 6am and 9am on weekdays. As of tomorrow, it will also be open between 3pm and 6pm in the opposite direction, towards Cottonera.

Infrastructure minister Ian Borg said the new arrangement followed negotiations with the dock’s private operator and that new signage had been installed to guide commuters.

WATCH: Marsa junction project shifts into second gear

Meanwhile, the minister announced, new carriageways would be opened on the side of Aldo Moro Road from the start of next week to make up for others which will be closed as part of the next phase of works on the junction.

The second phase will include the widening of Aldo Moro Road and the clearing of area for new alternative routes.

A call for offers for the third phase, the building of the flyovers, closed in early February. The government said eight offers were submitted for an average price of €45 million. The offers ranged from €33.5m to €57.7m from consortia formed of Maltese and overseas contractors.

The bids will be examined in the coming months.