Transport minister talks of maintenance commitment after contract

By Daniela Farrugia Randon

During an on site meeting with the press, the Minister for Transport and Telecommunications Censu Galea outlined the obligations for new contracted projects by focusing on the Salina – Iklin road Naxxar which kicked off three months ago.

The project that involves the reconstruction of the 4.9km road at Naxxar linking Salina, through the Birguma by pass, to Tal-Balal road in Iklin, is estimated to cost Lm 1.5 million.

The contract for this project was given to Penza Tarmac Ltd. The work is being monitored by Road Department engineers.

As Minister Galea explained, the Penza Group was engaged under contract which includes a design, construction and maintenance contract.

With the contractual agreement, the road contractor is not only responsible for the design and constructing the road but to maintain the completed road for the first five years.

The minister went on to explain the novelty in the contract.

"If problems are to arise in the completed road within the first five years from the date of completion the contractor will be bound to arrange the problem free of charge".

To date, works have been carried out on 1.5 km of the full route. These works include the laying of new 350mm diameter water mains and the construction of service and storm water ducts. Works are now on their way for the reconstruction of the road carriageway and a cement stabilization layer that is being constructed as a base for a future road pavement.

Minister Galea also referred to the various road constructions that are, and will be, carried out.

Some of the projects include the works at Hal-far, works in Marfa, the road leading to St. Luke’s, the Mosta – Burmarrad road and Hompesch – Zabbar road, Fgura.