Airport Flyovers Taking Shape As 300 Tonnes Of Iron Installed During ‘Intensive Phase’
The first of seven steel structures forming part of the new flyover deck for the Kirkop Tunnels was installed yesterday evening.
The installation heralds in an “intensive phase” of the project that will see a new lane created from Luqa towards Kirkop. The first new flyover will be 400 metres long and made of seven pieces of steel weighing 300 tonnes.
Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia said that most of the works being done for the €18 million will take place during the night, and create “easier and safer connections to Luqa, Gudja, Birżebbuġa, Kirkop, Imqabba, Qrendi, Żurrieq and Safi as well as other areas in the vicinity”.
“With this ambitious project, we are not only continuing to improve connectivity around our country but also strengthening road safety, easing traffic and reducing travel time. This is one more link in a chain of projects that are being carried out to ensure our country is equipped with infrastructure suitable for the 21st century and government’s economic model,” Farrugia said.
The project also includes the rebuilding of the Gudja roundabout, to introduce a new tunnel to Birżebbuġa and new facilities for alternative means of travel.
It will also improve access to the Malta International Airport and the Malta Freeport.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett said that €25.6 million, of which €21.9 million are European funds from the Connecting Europe Facility, are being invested in two projects: the Luqa Junction Project and KTAIP in Luqa and Gudja. Parliamentary Secretary remarked that evidence of the importance of these projects is the fact that the European Commission allocated further funds to IM to implement these projects.
“We are committed to invest more in such projects to have better infrastructure and accessibility. Residents living in Gudja, Luqa, Birżebbuġa and localities close by will have their trip reduced by 74%,” Bonett said.
The placing of the rest of the steel structures of the Gudja flyover will continue in the coming days. After the entire deck is joined, IM will begin completing the last necessary works on the flyover which is planned to be opened for use by the end of the year.
IM CEO Ivan Falzon stated that this is another project led by Infrastructure Malta to continue strengthening the road network: “I would like to thank the public for their cooperation during these months of work. We will do our best to close this project as soon as possible without undue inconvenience.”
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