A total of 33 rural roads around the country normally used by farmers as secondary routes are getting a facelift, the Transport Ministry said on Saturday.

Work on the roads, making up some 30 kilometres, had started in May and so far  15% have already been completed.

The completed developments include work on Triq ir-Remel in Żebbuġ, the road leading to St Peter’s Pool in Marsaxlokk, an unnamed road in the area of Triq San Ġużepp in Żabbar, Trejqet Kostinjuż in Naxxar, the road in the San Niklaw area between Siġġiewi and Qrendi, and Triq il-Ġebel in Birzebbugia.

On these rural roads, rudimentary roadways that meander through fields, other work is being carried out with entities providing water, electrical and telecommunication services, so that necessary systems for the same area are placed before the laying of foundations and new asphalt. This reduces the risk of digging up these roads a short while after being rebuilt, the ministry said.

The project was being carried out thanks to an €11 million investment co-financed by the European Union.