178 roads to get facelift in 2001

By Kurt Sansone

Works are currently underway on more then 35km of roads in various localities around Malta. This is equivalent to the distance between Britain and France in the English Channel.

According to information obtained from the Ministry for Transport and Communications, the works’ programme for this year covers a total of 178 roads. Roadworks have commenced on 121 roads and tenders are in the offing for another 57.

Among the major roads earmarked for a facelift in 2001 are the Birkirkara by-pass, Rue D’Argens and Sliema Road in Gzira, the reconstruction of the road from Salina to Iklin and the construction of the road from Burmarrad church to the Qlejja roundabout. In addition, the work on Mdina Road in Qormi, is expected to be concluded by this year.

A break down of the projected work reveals that Birkirkara is the locality with the largest number of roads getting an overhaul, where 22 roads are earmarked for works. The second largest locality is Bugibba, with 19 roads, followed by Kirkop and Marsaskala with 11 roads each. Birzebbuga comes next with nine roads earmarked for re-surfacing.

The capital expenditure on roadworks for this year amounts to Lm6.65 million. However, this does not tally with the volume of works planned, because roads that are started this year but set to be finished in 2002, are paid for from next year’s budget.

The total length of Malta’s road network amounts to more then 1,700km.