Marsa junction inaugurated

The Marsa Junction Project, Infrastructure Malta’s biggest project to date, was officially inaugurated on Thursday evening. Photo: Infrastructure Malta

The Marsa Junction Project, Infrastructure Malta’s biggest project to date, was officially inaugurated on Thursday evening.

The project, which cost €70 million to complete, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for Transport and Capital Projects Ian Borg.

The junction is made up of 12 kilometres of uninterrupted lanes which are separated at three levels. The lanes have created direct northbound and southbound connections between Triq Aldo Moro, Vjal Sir Paul Boffa, Vjal Santa Luċija, Triq Giuseppe Garibaldi and Triq ilMarsa (to Qormi).

Alongside the lanes, no less than 3.5 kilometres of passageways have been erected to allow pedestrians easy access to Addolorata cemetery. The walkways also serve as cycle lanes, allowing cyclists a reliable route to travel through Marsa.

The junction has enabled more than 100,000 drivers to cut down on 79% of their journey time. 18,000 trees and plants have also been planted alongside the walkways.

Borg said the project has kept “everyone in mind”, be they drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and those using public transport.

He added that Infrastructure Malta has more plans for ambitious projects, most notably the electrification of boats in the Maltese Grand Harbour. He also hopes more electronic cars and bikes will be used with the passage of time.

Abela said that the project has reflected the perseverance of Infrastructure Malta and a wise investment of the European Union’s funds.

He said the junction is “the biggest infrastructure project in our country that has changed the face of this side of the country.”

Marsa has developed from an area where there was mass congestion at traffic lights to a sophisticated, advanced system of transport, he said.

Additionally, he said that there will be more projects in the future that will compliment this one and continue to enrich Malta’s infrastructure.

When the pandemic is over, he added, the rest of the world will be impressed upon seeing the Marsa junction in person because it will show that Malta is a serious global contender in the infrastructure industry.

The inauguration concluded with Borg and Abela unveiling a plaque in the centre of the junction to commemorate the official opening of the project.

Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and Infrastructure Malta CEO Frederick Azzopardi also addressed the inauguration.