About 35% of the work in connection with the Kirkop tunnel and airport intersection project has been completed and the first part of the project will be open to traffic by the first quarter of 2022, Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg said.
The Kirkop project is entrusted to Infrastructure Malta (IM) and apart from the €18 million to be spent by IM, the agency is looking for European funds to cover part of the expenses.
This project is aimed to create faster routes between the localities of Hal-Luqa, Gudja, Birzebbuga, Kirkop, Imqabba, Qrendi, Zurrieq and Safi.
Speaking on site today, IM CEO Fredrick Azzopardi said that a lot of work is being done off site with regards to this project. “The contractor taking part of the construction has opted to sub contract the construction of certain structures to a company in Spain, which is expected to deliver 400 metres of the flyover structure by March 2022.”
Apart from works on the flyover, Azzopardi revealed that works on the underpass and pavements is expected to be completed in the next phase of the project. “Works on 300 metres of walls and pavement has just started and excavation works on the tunnel are expected to start soon.”
Borg stated that “this is an ambitious project but after seeing the success there was in other projects such as the Central Link and the Marsa Junction project, we are sure that not only are we improving connections around our country but we are making our roads safer.”
Azzopardi said that this project also brought about a revamp in the cable network around the area. “The project includes 10 kilometres of electricity cables, internet and other telecommunication cables. We are also updating water and drainage pipes with 3 kilometres of these already done.”
Borg then shed light on the Hal Resqun tombs which were rediscovered in 2006. The 1,600 year old tombs lie right in the middle of the construction currently being carried out but he confirmed that the the sight was being monitored by archeologists from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and access for archeologists will be available at all times.