Construction of North Ring Road Mosta

One of the major roads projects currently being carried out by the Ministry for Transport and Communications, involves the reconstruction of the 1.8 km peripheral road at Mosta that stretches from the Sta Margerita Area to the roundabout at the end of Labour Avenue, Naxxar. The Roads Department invited members of the press to visit the works that are being carried out, in conformity with current plans to upgrade the roads network in the Malta. The Minister for Transport and Communications, the Hon. Censu Galea was present and provided further details about Government’s objectives and plans for the near future.

The contract for the implementation of this project was awarded as a ‘Design, Build and Maintain’ contract. The contractor is therefore responsible to design and build the road to standards and specifications issued by the Roads Directorate. Subsequently, the contractor will be responsible for the maintenance of the completed road for a period of five years from the date of completion. This system ensures that the contractor carries out the necessary works to a high standard first time round, as he would otherwise have to replace any defective work that could show up during the maintenance period whilst the road is in use. In practice it means that the contractor could be responsible for the works carried out for a period of nine years, if it results that defective work starts to appear and has to be replaced at the end of the initial five year guarantee period.

The work on this peripheral road consists in substantial rock excavation to form the road and the subsequent construction of service ducts, storm water culverts, footways, landscaped areas and the final asphalting of the road surface.

The road will be single carriageway two lane to conform to design standards for residential areas. As much of the road is residential. Works have been carried out to date on 1Km of the route. New 350mm diameter water mains have been laid. Service and storm water ducts are also under construction. The estimated value of this contract is Lm600,000.

Apart from this project the Roads Directorate is carrying out other works in this locality. Work on the construction of Triq il-Htajriet has commenced.

This phase of the work is essentially addressing the linking up of the various undeveloped sites of this road that involves also the relocation of some residents. Laying of sewers has been carried out as well as road formation work between Main Street and St Anthony Street. Further work will be carried out this year as soon as relocation arrangements are finalised. This road is 1Km long and its construction will cost around to date works carried out have amounted to around Lm35,000. The total value of the project is expected to amount to Lm750,000.

The Roads Directorate has recently completed works on three streets in the Ta’ Xkora area that amounted to Lm80,000. Prior to that, works amounting to Lm 300,000 on the reconstruction of part of Valletta Road had been completed.

Road re-grading work was carried out in part of Fort Road to relieve flooding of dwellings and other premises in the locality. Five pelican crossings were also constructed in Independence Avenue, Valletta Road, Eucharistic Congress Road and Constitution Street. Other minor works have also been carried out on footways in Triq San Gwann and adjoining streets.

The Roads Directorate and the Mosta Local Council are discussing plans for further works in the locality.