Infrastructure Malta (IM) has opened the new Imrieħel underpass, which connects Triq l-Imdina with the Imrieħel Bypass, at the junction near the offices of the Malta Financial Services Authority.
Works will now be carried out to construct a new roundabout on top of the Imrieħel underpass. Safer crossing points for those travelling on foot or by bike will be created as well as new areas with trees.
This was announced by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia together with CEO of IM Ivan Falzon.
“This is another project that will continue to improve connectivity, alleviate the traffic problem in our country as well as improve safety for everyone who uses the roads in these areas. Just like the Santa Luċija Roundabout Underpass Project was developed to extend the benefits of Marsa Junction Project along the main route to southern Malta, Infrastructure Malta planned the Imrieħel Underpass Project to augment the positive impacts of Central Link Project in Attard, Balzan, Birkirkara and Imrieħel,” said Minister Farrugia.
Another uninterrupted connection that crosses over the tunnel in the opposite direction, from Mdina Road (Birkirkara) to Attard, will be opened in the coming weeks. The agency is planning to complete the Imrieħel Underpass Project by the end of the year.
After completing the excavation of this cut-and-cover underpass in February, during the past months the agency’s contractors erected 290 precast concrete panels to form its walls and also lifted in place the 16 prestressed concrete beams, each weighing six tonnes, that support the tunnel roof.
The two-lane 60-metre underpass will form part of a new roundabout intersection that is replacing the old traffic lights system at this important crossroads between Balzan, Birkirkara and Imrieħel. Through this tunnel, the main eastbound traffic flows, from Mdina Road, Balzan, towards the Mrieħel bypass (Royal Malta Artillery Avenue), will be grade-separated from the other flows converging at this junction.
The Imrieħel Underpass Project is also enabling the introduction of safer pedestrian and cycling crossings to link Birkirkara, Imrieħel and Balzan with il-Ħofor Road, a rural road leading to Żebbuġ and Qormi. These roundabout crossings will further improve the connections of the four-kilometre cycling and walking infrastructure developed through Central Link Project in Ta’ Qali, Attard and Balzan.
Photos (DOI/MTIP)
