Infrastructure Malta will be submitting new plans to the Planning Authority for the Msida Creek Project development applications.
This was announced by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia with IM CEO Ivan Falzon in the presence of the Msida and Pietà local councils.
The Minister explained that this project will improve connectivity and reduce travel time by 40%, and that 60% of the Msida Creek Project will be dedicated to open public spaces, creating a more pleasant environment to the centre of this locality.
He said that other than the building of a new flyover to replace the Msida Creek traffic lights junction and safer facilities for alternative modes of travel, including a new cycling and walking track, the project will also provide for a major upgrade and embellishment of the surrounding areas with new recreational zones.
The new open spaces and recreational zones being created by this project, will include a new 2,200 metres squared piazza in front of the Parish Church and a seawater channel, the latter also forming part of a plan to prevent flooding. This 220-metre channel will be surrounded with pathways in a landscaped area designated for relaxation in a serene environment.
This investment of approximately €18 million, includes the redesign and reconstruction of the traffic lights junction connecting Triq il-Marina (to and from Sa Maison and Valletta), Triq il-Wied tal-Imsida and Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli (to and from the Tal-Qroqq Skatepark roundabout) and the upgrading of several nearby junctions with other roads leading to and from Gżira, Sliema and Ta’ Xbiex. The proposed road design will eliminate traffic light waiting times and reduce travel times and accident risks along this arterial route, whilst improving air quality in this part of Msida and other nearby residential and recreational areas.
The road corridor extending from the Sa Maison area of Msida to the Tal-Qroqq Skatepark roundabout is one of the country’s principal network nodes, connecting Valletta and the Grand Harbour region with the northern and southern regions of the island through Triq il-Wied tal-Imsida, Triq Dun Karm (the Birkirkara Bypass), Triq Reġjonali and Triq il-Kosta. Over 4,500 vehicles go through the Msida Creek traffic lights junction every hour to travel to and from Valletta and other nearby localities.
The new 200-metre-long bidirectional flyover proposed in this project will directly link Triq il-Marina with Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli, to reduce the impact of this through traffic on the nearby recreational and residential areas and promenades of Msida. By replacing the traffic lights with a grade-separated intersection, this project will increase the efficiency and capacity of this node, whilst reducing the existing high levels of air and noise pollution caused by long waiting times.
The upgrading of this important network node forms part of Infrastructure Malta’s ongoing commitment to improve the quality, efficiency, safety and sustainability of Malta’s land transport infrastructure, and to provide the necessary capacity to overcome existing challenges and meet future requirements. The agency conducted a Road Scheme Upgrade Assessment and a Road Safety Audit to ensure that this upgrade will sufficiently cater for the requirements of current and future road transport demands.
As part of this investment, Infrastructure Malta will also improve public transport connections along this route where the bus service is widely used. Wider pavements will also be built, along with a part of the new segregated cycling and walking track by the seafront, that eventually will connect Tal-Pietà with Ta’ Xbiex and Triq il-Wied tal-Imsida. Pelican pedestrian crossings will be added for safe connections when travelling on foot.
A new solar-covered parking lot with 100 spaces will also be developed, whilst the area surrounding the Workers’ Memorial will be transformed into a landscaped green area, adjoining the existing public garden which will be extended. The landscaped zone and public garden will cover a total area 4,500 metres squared.
The new project plans include a comprehensive underground stormwater system to alleviate the area’s flooding problem that has been dragging on for decades.
