A decision to close one of the Kirkop tunnels for urgent roadworks was taken after contractors working overnight found that part of the road foundations had to be replaced, Transport Malta said on Tuesday. 

Motorists reported gridlock in the area surrounding Triq l-Ewwel Titjira on Tuesday morning, with the tunnel leading from Luqa to Kirkop closed to traffic and no signs to guide drivers. 

Contractors working on resurfacing the road had intended on stripping the existing surface and applying new layers of asphalt overnight, with the road being done in time for the morning rush hour. 

Those plans came undone when contractors discovered that part of the road's foundations had to be completely replaced, Transport Malta said. 

"The tunnel was closed as a safety measure and the contractors started the required repair works immediately. In the meantime, a diversion route through the other tunnel was opened to keep this road accessible in both directions," the regulator told Times of Malta. 

Although repair works have not yet been completed, all tunnel lanes were opened to traffic at 3pm on Tuesday to help ease rush hour congestion. Two lanes of the tunnel will be closed to traffic once again come nightfall on Tuesday, with the contractor resuming resurfacing works overnight. 

 

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