Malta-Gozo Tunnel Takes Another Step Forwards As Pre-Qualification Questionnaire Issued

The Malta-Gozo tunnel link has taken another step forwards after Infrastructure Malta issued a pre-qualification questionnaire outlining the requirements for the eventual concession.

The proposed tunnel is to have a life in excess of 120 years and will have to cater for a minimum of 9,000 vehicles per day. Of this total, 5% have to be heavy vehicles, with access to bicycles and pedestrians to be forbidden.

The tunnel is to be 14 kilometres long with two separate lanes in either direction and with each measuring 3.5 metres wide. Other specifications include a minimum headroom of five metres, a 70 km/h speed limit and a series of lay-bys at 500 metre intervals. Additionally, the tunnel cannot be out of operation for more than 200 hours per year for maintenance purposes and will operate on a 24/7 basis.

Although this was not clearly specified, the tunnel route is recommended not to pass through St Paul’s Bay or Ċirkewwa due to heavy traffic in that area. Preliminary plans had indicated that the entrances and exits for the tunnel would be in Imbordin l/o Mġarr in Malta and on the outskirts of Nadur in Gozo.

The document also stated that the responsibility for the considerable amount of rock to be excavated was to be handled by the government. No other details were given regarding the disposal of said rock.