‘It’s A Nightmare’: Locals Comment On St Julian’s And Sliema Road Closures
Weeks of road closures in St Julian’s and Sliema have caused mounting traffic chaos and growing frustration across the island.
As summer nears, Enemalta has started laying new electric cables to boost Malta’s power supply ahead of the scorching months – works that likely kicked off in May to avoid complications from rainfall.
But many commuters are questioning the government’s decision to carry out such disruptive infrastructure works in two of the country’s busiest economic and tourist hubs right as the season ramps up. What should be a 10-20 minute drive is now stretching into over an hour – and people aren’t holding back their frustration.
Here are some of the comments on a post published yesterday by Maltese Roads Traffic Updates about the closure of Swieqi Road, St Julian’s:
“We have been stuck in traffic for two hours just to cross Paceville. This traffic management is totally embarrassing. You cannot keep people blocked inside a road during the afternoon, especially if they are workers who need to go back home,” one person wrote.
“One and a half hours to drive from Baystreet to Westin.”
“Good planning! Just in time for tourist season!” another commenter wrote sarcastically.
“Where ISN’T closed?”
“It took 50 minutes to get from Stella Maris College to The Strand.”
“Unbelievable! They close the roads everywhere without considering the already existing traffic issues which are bad enough. And in summer too.”
“Professional planning as usual! Three roads leading to Paceville closed at the same time instead of delaying work on one road so traffic could get through.”
“I cannot understand why roads are being closed and torn down altogether at once. The amount of traffic this is causing for everyone is unbelievable!! Give it a bloody break!!!!”
On the other hand, there were plenty of commenters who agreed that the works were necessary and that citizens should be more patient. In most cases, citizens just wished that the infrastructural works were planned better.
The roads have been closed to lay around 13 kilometres of new underground cables across Sliema, Gżira and St Julian’s.
They are ongoing on Triq Ċensu Tabone, Sliema and George Borg Olivier, Sliema which stretch across Balluta to the start of Spinola. These roads are expected to be closed until Friday 16th May.
Swieqi Road, Tri and Triq Elija Zammit, St Julian’s, as well as Triq Professur W. Ganado, Pembroke have also been closed.
Underscoring just how dire the situation has become, even a minor incident – where a trailer got stuck under a Paceville walkway – brought traffic to a standstill, as one of the few remaining open roads in the area had to be closed off.
Residents have further informed Lovin Malta that these works do not continue at night; prolonging the closures and gridlock traffic.
The newsroom has reached out to Infrastructure Malta, Enemalta and the St Julian’s Local Council for comments.
Featured image on the right: Maltese Roads Traffic Updates
Have you been disrupted by these road closures?
READ NEXT: 720 Kilos Of Cocaine Worth €220 Million Found On Maltese Ship In Busan
