Minister Censu Galea tours road works at San Gwann

The Roads Directorate is regularly engaged on carrying out road upgrading works on roads forming the arterial and distributor network. These works target requirements that the various roads may need attending to at various localities to ensure that users can travel safely and quickly as a result of the improved efficiency of the road network.

The Minister for Transport & Communications, Hon. Censu Galea, accompanied the press to the Tal-Balal Cross Roads where major junction improvements are commencing.

The junction is known for its particular deficiencies particularly the awkward visibility at the crossings and the wide unorganised roadway which give rise to conflicting use by motorists resulting in car accidents. The project therefore consists in the re-planning of the road arms approaching the junction and of the physical separation of the traffic flows on this section of Route 18, the San Gwann – Gharghur Road.

The new proposals provide better visibility and traffic management. The junction will be substantially improved with the introduction of a new roundabout in the area typically known as "Ta' Mekkek", which will ensure that traffic can safely traverse the crossing as the necessary traffic flow priorities are clearly established.

Apart from the construction of this roundabout and associated channelizations that will require the reconstruction of a 250m section of the road, a new 800m long centre strip and guard rail are being constructed in this stretch. Given the volume of traffic in the locality the road has been designed as dual carriageway each having a single lane with wide side shoulders to allow for safe stopping and for passage of two vehicles adjacent to each other. The existing bus stops have also been integrated in the new design and two lay-bys are being constructed to ensure that bus users wait safely and buses can stop without disrupting other traffic.

Other works are also being carried out in co-ordination with the service utilities, such as Maltacom and Enemalta, but mainly Water Services Corporation. This intends to lay additional trunk mains that have to be directly buried in the ground, and the work will be done now so as to ensure that the reconstructed road way will not require taking up latter.

This project has a completion period of 15weeks and the contract for its construction has been awarded to Road Servicing Ltd. for the amount of Lm103, 000.

The Roads Directorate has planned the phasing of the works after discussions with contractor and the utilities.

Motorists are cordially requested to co-operate towards the earliest completion of the project by carefully following the traffic diversions directions that will be put up to apply during the course of the works and possible avoiding the junction altogether if their trips so permit.