Luqa Road in Santa Luċija was officially opened on Friday after a €2 million infrastructural project was carried out, including the widening of the road, the rebuilding of its carriageways, the replacement of services and foundations, the introduction of a rain water catchment system and the introduction of pedestrian and cycling facilities.
The project was inaugurated by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg.
“Today we are here because the people of Santa Luċija, Tarxien, Paola and Luqa, all the people who pass through this road, have begun to enjoy the fruits of our labour. This is a project that clearly shows that we are not only investing in efficient infrastructure, but also in safer infrastructure, in the highest quality infrastructure and in infrastructure for those using alternative means. The Luqa Road project is another example that shows that the way we are planning and implementing our infrastructure is holistic,” said Minister Borg.
He explained that apart from the structural changes to this road, the roundabouts at its ends were also redesigned and rebuilt, while safe facilities such as new bus stops, pelican pedestrian crossings, better lighting and a crash barrier system were introduced.
Borg also said that in the coming weeks, Infrastructure Malta will be planting 175 trees along the sides of this road as part of the €1 million investment announced earlier this week, towards a more beautiful and greener urban environment.
“It is clear, especially here, that the Government is planning infrastructure as one complete network that has to work efficiently in its entirety. Today we are in Luqa Road where we have completed this important project, but we know that a few steps away, a multimillion project is currently underway in the Marsa Junction, we know that work has begun towards the new tunnels planned for Santa Luċija, while work is underway in roads connecting Luqa and Qormi after important works were carried out both in Aviation Avenue as well as in the Qormi main roads a short distance away,” said Borg.
He explained that the cycling and pedestrian facilities introduced to this road will also be joining Addolorata hill and other facilities connected to the Marsa Junction, so that our country can – where possible – also have a network for alternative means.
“Our vision for our country is for people to have the best quality of life possible. We are therefore working hard so that the people can have efficient, safe and high-quality infrastructure, so that the people can have more facilities incentivising multimodality and sustainability in the transport sector. That is why we are working on every level, even by regularising different means and sectors in transport while making our country greener with more trees, with more greening in the urban environment, and with efficient roads reducing emissions. We want to lead towards more positive change as befits our country and all Maltese and Gozitan people,” concluded Minister Borg.
The project was co-financed by European Funds as part of the SMITHS (ERDF.PA.7.0091) project.
Also present for the activity were Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Communities Silvio Parnis. Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Christopher Cutajar together with the mayors and council representatives of Santa Luċija, Tarxien, Paola and Luqa and Infrastructure Malta CEO Eng. Fredrick Azzopardi and other technical experts.
