Ħamrun-Qormi bypass to get additional lanes to address bottlenecks

€5 million project should take 13 months

The Ħamrun-Qormi bypass will get an additional lane on each side to improve traffic flow at these two bottlenecks, Transport Minister Ian Borg announced yesterday.

Borg explained how upon exiting the Santa Venera tunnels in the direction of Marsa, the two lanes of the carriageway converge into one. This difficulty creates an obstacle for those who pass through this road, with more delays and a higher risk of accidents. This obstacle is negatively affecting the route from Attard to Qormi through the Mrieħel bypass, which joins the Marsa-Ħamrun bypass at this part of the road as well. The opposite direction suffers similar difficulties causing delays in the lane which joins Qormi Road to the Marsa-Ħamrun bypass.

He said that through this project of around €5 million, the Marsa-Ħamrun bypass will be re-designed to add two new lanes; one in each direction. This will reduce most of these difficulties as well as the risk of accidents. Thanks to the new lanes, those who exit the Santa Venera tunnel and those who approach from the Mrieħel bypass bridge will have dedicated lanes, without the need of the two lanes converging into one. The opposite direction will see an additional lane to mitigate existing difficulties in the connection with Qormi Road, as well as for those who are travelling from Marsa towards the Santa Venera tunnels and Mrieħel.

Speaking at a press conference on site, Borg said the works started towards the end of last week.

The design of this project started last summer, when a solution for the existing difficulties in this road, which are causing delays during the journeys of thousands of people every day, started being studied. The call for offers for the necessary work was issued in August and preparations for widening works began upon awarding of the contract.

Borg said the Roads and Infrastructure Directorate of Transport Malta is also collaborating with other entities so that pipes and cables carrying water, drainage, electrical and telecommunication services which pass beneath the road, are modernised before implementing new asphalt.

The project is being implemented in several phases to limit inconvenience caused to drivers. Some work will be carried out during the night to reduce inconvenience for users of the road.

The minister said that this project is expected to be completed in 13 months’ time. He also said that EU funds have been requested for this project to be implemented.

Borg pointed out that this was one of several road projects undertaken by his ministry. Other projects include the widening of this bypass, a solution for difficulties in the road between Mrieħel, Attard and Rabat, the Marsa Junction Project, the building of new tunnels beneath the Santa Luċija roundabout, and the widening of Buqana Road between Rabat and Mosta.