Regional Road project nearing completion

The Regional Road project—which includes the reconstruction and widening of part of this arterial road between the Tal-Qroqq tunnel and Santa Venera into six lanes – three in each direction – is in its last phase, Transport Minister Ian Borg has said.

Over the past week, part of the southern carriageway as drivers exit the Tal-Qroqq tunnels in the direction of Santa Venera was given a first layer of asphalt.

Infrastructure Malta has also completed the bridge structure over Triq il-Wied in Msida after it finished building the second half and covering it with membrane. A retaining wall on the side of the bridge is currently also being constructed. The central strip was removed and is being replaced with a safer one through the installation of crash barriers known as jersey barriers, which limit the impact of collisions. This concrete crash barrier system was also used in Tal-Balal project for the first time.

“The Regional Road project is another one of a series of projects that we have implemented along this main artery that joins the north of Malta to the south. This is a very important road that was in need of improvement and, in a few weeks’ time, before the Feast of the Assumption (Santa Marija), this project will be concluded for the benefit of thousands of commuters that use it every day. Working day and night to deliver the benefits of more efficient and secure roads to the people is our priority,” Borg said.

The bridge built in the 1970s, which enables the two carriageways on Regional Road to pass over Triq il-Wied in Msida, has been reconstructed in order to accommodate the new lanes and to improve the alignment of the road, making it safer and reducing the risks of accidents. The new bridge will be one of the widest structures of its type in Malta, with a total width of more than 23.5 metres.

The lane that will be added within the northbound carriageway, from the Santa Venera tunnels towards Msida, will provide safer access from the slip roads that join Triq il-Wied in Msida, Triq il-Ferrovija l-Antika in Birkirkara and Triq Kappillan Mifsud in Santa Venera to Regional road. Further up, part of this new lane has been completed and is open to traffic, minimising travel time to the Birkirkara bypass, the University of Malta and Mater Dei Hospital.

The other new lane in the southbound carriageway improves travel for those vehicles coming from the direction of the ramp that joins the Birkirkara bypass and the TalQroqq roundabout (near the skatepark) to Regional Road, as it enables them to proceed directly towards Santa Venera. This lane will also provide a safer exit from Regional Road onto Triq il-Ferrovija l-Antika and Triq ilKappillan Mifsud, the two roads that meet at the roundabout between Birkirkara and Santa Venera.

“All these connections are being modified in order to increase safety and efficiency. We plan every investment in the country’s infrastructure with one principal scope – that of maximising the benefits for our people,” Borg said.