Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi visited the latest ongoing works on the Marsa Junction project, an investment of €70 million, co-financed by EU funds.
The Marsa Junction Project includes a new multi-level intersection to replace the old Addolorata traffic lights system with 12 kilometres of uninterrupted lanes, grade-separated at three levels, creating direct, safer connections for different modes of travel between the arterial roads merging at this network node. The project is ending traffic light waiting times along this principal route to southern Malta, whilst significantly reducing congestion emissions in Marsa and other nearby localities.
Minister Ian Borg said that, “The vision of this government is a holistic one and does not stop by just addressing the traffic problem only, but rather looks at the whole picture. The Marsa Junction Project will reduce traffic, but will also give a greener lung to more than 100,000 people who travel from here on a daily basis through lower emissions mainly caused by congestion. The government has also seen to introducing other incentives such as the concept of art, because we believe in the power of art and its impact on people’s lives. In addition, considering that 8,000 trees and more than 10,000 shrubs will be planted, I think our vision of offering more sustainability, a cleaner lung and a better quality of life to people is crystal clear.”
Minister Ian Borg also recalled that, through the Marsa Junction Project, the government will be further incentivising the use of cleaner transport through newer cycle lanes, with a total of 3.5 kilometres.
Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi held that this investment includes €49 million from the direct fund Connecting Europe Facility, whilst another €3 million are being invested from the Cohesion Fund. He explained that this project does not solely strengthen the road infrastructure, but also incorporates the environmental aspect so that cleaner air is provided to the people in the surrounding area.
“The results of this project are proof that with European funds environmental issues are being addressed by eliminating traffic congestion in this main arterial road. Whereas before people living in the South of Malta had to think an hour before due to traffic, now their travel time has been reduced drastically. These are concrete results which can be felt in people’s daily lives, so that we can really say that we are improving the quality of life of people who live in the South of Malta,” concluded the Parliamentary Secretary.
Works are currently underway on the two bridges, where the eight lifts are being installed and the structures with security points are being completed; lighting, security cameras and other work to ensure better security and accessibility. The final work on the Park and Ride next to the new bus stops of the project is also underway, whereby 380 spaces are being created.
