Msida Creek Project Will Start Next Month And End In 2027, No Roads Will Be Closed
The Msida Creek Project will commence in November and end in 2027, Infrastructure Malta CEO Steve Ellul said earlier today.
Ellul stated that construction works will be very conscious of traffic in the area, noting that no roads will be closing and that surrounding junctions will be only slightly affected.
The construction of the project is expected to conclude by 2027 and will be split up into phases. The first year will be split into four phases with the first focusing on the Msida waterfront which will involve constructing a new quay and laying the foundations for a road that will connect Ta’ Xbiex to Valletta.
The second phase will start work to build a carriageway on Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli followed by reinforcement on the side walls. Since this is a very busy road connecting to the University of Malta, Ellul explained that the plans are conscious of not aggravating the current traffic flow too much.
He ensured that while the flow would be slightly disrupted during construction works, the congestion ramifications would not be that bad because Msida would still be functional and all roads would remain open.
In some instances, the lanes will decrease to one – including on Triq Mikiel Anton Vassali.
“The weight of the traffic in the junctions surrounding Msida – like Kappara, Santa Venera, etc – won’t be much worse than they are now.”
Ellul explained that the project radically changed from when it was first proposed thanks to extensive discussions with the Msida Local Council which ensured its concerns were addressed.
Ellul stated that the main concern of the Local Council is the flyover of Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli, however, he assured that all measures are being taken to make this a solution and not a problem.
50,000 cars pass through the area daily so the flyover intends to increase the flow by elevating the traffic and reducing the traffic lights. This, he said, will translate to less congestion and less emissions which are currently at a very high level. Noise barriers also seek to combat noise pollution for residents.
Interestingly, this is the first major road project in Malta to include a mandatory 10-year maintenance agreement with the contractors, Ellul said.
Amid the three-year construction of the Msida Creek Project, a WhatsApp Channel will be set up to update commuters on traffic developments in the area. Click here to join.
The overall Msida Creek Project includes 19,375 metres squared of open spaces, a 2,200-metres-squared-Pjazza in front of the Msida Parish Church, 1.6 kilometres of “safe” bike lanes and footpaths, the addition of 214 mature trees and 17,000 shrubs and a 300-metre-long canal will cover 2,400 square metres.
A separate project seeks to add a bike lane that would connect Tal-Qroqq to Mcast Pawla and this would be linked to the 1.6-kilometre bike lane of the Msida Creek Project.
Ellul explained that Infrastructure Malta is thinking of different ways to link more cycle routes with the ones outlined in this project.
Meanwhile, the plans consider the passage of rain because while it doesn’t rain often, the island is hit with heavy rainfall a handful of times a year. The canal will be filled with rain water and different measures – like a fountain – will promote circulation to avoid stagnation.
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