Phase 3 of the National Flood Relief Project

The public is informed that on Monday 2nd February will commence phase 3 of the National Flood Relief Project at the Lija/Iklin area. These works are scheduled to be completed within three weeks.

In connection with these works, part of Triq Wied Hal Balzan (from Triq Gulju Cauchi up to Triq Wigi Muscat) will be closed for traffic. All vehicular traffic coming from Balzan towards Mosta will be diverted through Triq Gulju Cauchi and then to Triq Dun Gwann Zammit Hammet to Triq L-Għerusija and then to Triq Wiġi Muscat to reach Iklin roundabout and then proceed normal to Triq in-Naxxar. Vehicular traffic coming from Mosta and B’Kara By Pass to Mosta will not be affected.

The National Flood Relief Project aims at tackling problems of flooding in three rain water catchments which affects directly twelve different localities.

Road Closures this weekend – Hompesch Road – Fgura

Fgura

31 January & 01 February 2015

Due to an event to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Fgura Parish Church, part of Triq Hompesch, between the roundabouts at Triq San Tumas and Triq is-Sur, will be closed to traffic on Saturday 31st January 2015 between 16:30hrs and 20:00hrs and on Sunday 1st February 2015 between 06:00hrs and 12:00hrs and between 18:00hrs and 19:30hrs.

Vehicular traffic coming from Paola will be diverted onto Triq San Tumas. Traffic coming from Żabbar will be diverted onto Triq il-Foss or Triq 10 ta’ Settembru.

Public Transport

Public Transport coming from Żabbar, will be diverted from Hompesch Gate, Taċ-Ċawsli direction to Bulebel, Triq 10 ta’ Settembru, Triq Kurunell Mas, Triq San Tumas and follow the normal route to Paola. Same diversion applies for the return journeys.

Sliema

1st February 2015

Transport Malta notifies that due to works near Sliema Police Station, Triq Rudolph Sliema will be closed to traffic on Sunday 1st February 2015 between 09:00hrs and 10:00hrs.

Vehicular traffic coming from Gżira will be diverted to Triq Manwel Dimech. Traffic coming from The Strand may proceed to Triq Ġuze’ Ellul Mercer onto Triq Rudolph.

Public Transport

Public Transport will be diverted as follows:

Route 21 – Buses coming from Valletta will be diverted from Triq Testaferrata onto Sliema Ferries. No service will be provided at Triq Savoy and Triq Dingli.
The return journey will depart from Sliema Ferries and will be diverted onto Triq Manwel Dimech, Triq Savoy and Triq D’Argens. No service will be provided at Triq it-Torri and Triq Adrian Dingli.

Route 110 – Buses proceeding from San Gwann to Sliema Ferries will be diverted from Triq Sliema to Triq D’Argens, near the Gżira Old Stadium, The Strand, Sliema Ferries, Triq it-Torri, back to Tigne and Sliema Ferries.

Motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Any inconvenience is regretted.

Transport Malta investigating incident on board Gozo Channel Vessel

Transport Malta is carrying an investigation into the incident that happened on board a Gozo Channel vessel this morning during a ferry crossing between the islands. The Authority is in contact with the management of Gozo Channel Co Ltd and the captain of the vessel to ascertain all the facts related to the incident whereby a truck allegedly toppled on its side.

Road Closure – New Street – Luqa

Due to construction works, on Friday 30th, part of New Street in Luqa will be closed for traffic between 09:00 and 12:00.

Vehicles coming from Marsa will be diverted to Triq Dun Pawl and to Triq il-Wilga. Vehicles coming from Triq il-Kunsill tal-Ewropa will be diverted to Triq Sant Andrija.

Public Transport, route number 72 and 118 coming from Marsa will be diverted to Triq A. Vassallo, Triq id-9 ta’ April and then to Triq Sant Andrija

Route Buses

Route buses on the way to ZURRIEQ will have to divert by keep on going straight onto TRIQ VALLETTA then turn right onto TRIQ DEBONO and sharp left to TRIQ IRRIXTELLU towards the Church and proceed with the normal route through TRIQ SANT ANDRIJA.

Vehicles for Weekend Use

New scheme launched for the registration of vehicles for weekend use

Transport Malta will be receiving applications to register high emission vehicles and motorcycles to be used during Weekends and Public/national Holidays Only.

The objective of this optional scheme is to introduce a concept where high emission vehicles and motorcycles are kept off the roads during the week and hence reducing pollution. It is also intended for vehicle enthusiasts who would like to register a high end vehicle, which normally would be high powered and thus with high emissions, to be used exclusively on weekends and public holidays.

Through this scheme, vehicle enthusiasts who only use their cars for particular occasions, events or shows would also benefit from the new scheme.

The registration tax payable under this Scheme will amount to 40% of the full registration tax, thus a saving of 60%. The Annual Circulation Licence Fee will be paid annually in full.

Such vehicles will be registered and licensed through the normal system, but the registration plates will be of a red colour and hence differentiate from the current fleet.

The scheme launched in Budget 2015 is open for vehicles used for the carriage of persons and which may carry no more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver (Category M1) and Motorcycles to be used during weekends and Public/National Holidays Only. This optional measure will apply ONLY to M1 vehicles with CO2 emission levels equal to or greater than 221g/km with an emission level equivalent to the latest Euro standard (Euro 5/6) or Latest -1 Euro standard (Euro 4) and also to motorcycles with an engine capacity equal or greater than 801cc.

Vehicles registered under this scheme must be garaged and may not be used and/or parked on the public roads between Monday to Friday (both days included). To deter abuses, the scheme also includes penalties for vehicle owners caught driving such vehicles between Monday to Friday (both days included). These fines could amount to paying double the registration tax with a minimum of €2,500 together with the registration tax due.

Applications for such schemes are available from the Vehicle Licensing Unit, Hornsworks Ditch, Floriana.

Malta Flag becomes the 6th Largest Merchant Ship Register in the World, Consolidates its position as Largest in Europe

Malta Flag becomes the 6th Largest Merchant Ship Register in the World and consolidates its position as largest in Europe with record performance in 2014

Transport Malta, the Authority responsible for the Malta Ship Register, reports a strong and positive performance for 2014.

According to the latest official statistics, Malta has now become the 6th largest Ship Register worldwide whilst further consolidating its position as the largest Register in Europe. In 2013, Malta ranked in the seventh place. In fact, as at end of the year, the Maltese Register of Shipping registered an increase of almost 6.5 million gross tonnage representing a growth rate of 12.5% over the previous year, which had also reported record figures.

As at end of December 2014, the registered gross tonnage under the Merchant Shipping Act was 57.9 million gross tons with over 2,500 merchant vessels fly the Maltese Flag. By end of 2014, the Authority had processed over 191,376 applications from officers serving or wanting to serve on Maltese ships, for the issue of endorsements attesting to the recognition of their certificate of competency issued by a foreign Administration. Of these, 16,639 were processed in the year under review.These statistics represent record figures for the Malta Flag and a significant achievement for the Malta Flag Administration.

Malta has also continued to consolidate its position on the Paris MoU and Tokyo MoU White Lists. During 2014, the Malta flag registered very positive results in terms of port State control performance, thus reinforcing the quality of its registered fleet and its firm commitment towards safe, secure and clean shipping. This is also a result of drive by the Maltese shipping community to attract more young and innovative tonnage to the fleet. The average age of merchant ships registered under the Merchant Shipping Act was of 7 years, thus decreasing the average age of all the registered merchant fleet to 12 years.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Joe Mizzi, commented “this status was achieved thanks to the efforts of all stakeholders including shipowners, seafarers, the efforts of the personnel of Transport Malta, particularly those at the Merchant Shipping Directorate and a joint effort by the Authority and the Maltese Shipping community to attract serious companies to the Maltese Register.  The fact that the Malta Flag Administration has managed to concurrently increase both its growth rate and enhance the technical performance of its registered fleet further confirms the Authority’s adopted strategy to focus on quality. Year on year record growth figures further consolidate the Island’s register as the flag of choice of the major International ship-owning companies and re-affirms Malta’s reputation as a leading maritime nation.  I take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders for their contribution and confidence shown in the Malta flag.”

Today, the Malta Register has also become a world leader in commercial yachts registration where Malta has also registered positive results. Despite the current financial situation worlwide, the Malta flag registered an increase of 13.6% over the previous year, in the registration of superyachts of over 24 metres in length. As of the end of December 2014, the superyacht fleet flying the conspicuous Maltese cross worldwide was 452.

Mr Piscopo concluded: “these positive results encourage us to work harder to ensure that Maritime Malta continues to benefit from the associated positioning within these international sectors, both from the substantial direct foreign revenue and value added in the economy. These results also represent yet another milestone towards further consolidating Malta as an international centre of maritime excellence in the Mediterranean.”

Coast Road – Current Traffic Arrangements

All the road is two way except the part from Magħtab to Kennedy Grove where the southbound traffic is unaffected but the northbound traffic is diverted into Magħtab towards T’Alla u Ommu road where it can then proceed to Kennedy Grove.

Southbound

Southbound traffic is unaffected, thus all traffic from Buġibba going towards Paceville can proceed along the Coast Road.

Northbound

On the other hand, all Northbound traffic, from Paceville going towards Buġibba, is diverted at Maghtab towards T’Alla u Ommu road where it can then head to Kennedy Grove.

The Project

The Coast Road Project is re-aligning the bends and widening the road to reduce the potential hazard of a road which has among the highest rate of fatal incidents. Once complete, for most of the road, the Coast Road will have two carriageways incorporating two lanes each, a continuous central crash barrier, footpaths and cycle lanes.

Marsa Junction – Explained

Traffic Committee

One of the objectives of the Traffic Committee, which meets regularly and is normally composed of representatives from the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure, the Police, Roads & Infrastructure Directorate, Traffic Management Unit and the Public Transport Unit all at Transport Malta, is to suggest and implement changes and initiatives aimed at improving traffic management around the Maltese Islands. Traffic flow issues at the Salib tal-Marsa roundabout were one of the items that the committee addressed recently. In fact the committee had instigated statistical surveys to analyse traffic flows at this junction.

Below are excerpts from reports submitted:

Delays

Site investigations were carried out and it resulted that vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro towards Valletta were experiencing delays due to the traffic congestion created at the foot of the uphill ramp joining the Marsa Bypass.

The results of the survey show that delays occurred during the morning and afternoon peak traffic period with the morning peak incurring more than double the delays of the afternoon period. It was also observed that the cause of the congestion at the foot of the uphill ramp was because vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro towards Marsa bypass would need to merge into one lane in a relatively short distance on a road with a sharp vertical and horizontal curve meeting the Marsa bypass on the inner lane. These vehicles would then need to move towards the outer lane to merge with free flow traffic proceeding from Triq Dicembru Tlettax meeting the Marsa bypass on the outer lane.

Traffic Counts

Traffic counts were carried out by Transport Malta for vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro towards Marsa Bypass and for vehicles proceeding from Triq Dicembru 13 towards Marsa Bypass.

The traffic counts clearly show that vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro are the major flow. Vehicles proceeding from Triq Dicembru Tlettax are the minor flow amounting to approximately 4% of the vehicles on the major flow.

Conclusions and Recommendations of the Traffic Committee

Given the above data, the Traffic Committee agreed to the following:
· Vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro are to have priority over vehicles proceeding from Triq Dicembru Tlettax
· Vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro are to meet the Marsa bypass on two-lanes to avoid the merge on the uphill ramp and the second merge on the bypass
· Vehicles proceeding from Triq Dicembru Tlettax are to GIVE WAY to vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro at the Marsa Bypass.

Post Implementation

Following the implementation of the measure, whereby vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro towards Marsa Bypass now could meet the bypass on two lanes without any necessary merges, the traffic congestion at the footway of the uphill ramp were resolved and no further delays were registered for vehicles proceeding from Triq Aldo Moro. Also, vehicles proceeding uphill on the ramp no longer needed to merge into one lane within a short distance on a steep vertical curve and a sharp horizontal curve thus reducing the potential safety hazard at the merge which was being imposed on a high volume traffic flow.

Following the implementation of the GIVE WAY arrangements above, Transport Malta received a number of complaints from the relatively low flow of vehicle drivers who were accustomed to having a free flow at considerable speed when proceeding from Triq Dicembru Tlettax towards Marsa Bypass. Transport Malta subsequently fine tuned the GIVE WAY arrangement by implementing a minor deflection at the GIVE WAY line to ensure that vehicles proceeding from Triq Dicembru Tlettax approach the Marsa Bypass at a reduced speed. Unfortunately, some vehicle drivers were ignoring the deflection and were proceeding towards the Marsa Bypass crossing over the hatching lines thus creating a hazard for vehicles properly positioned at the GIVE WAY line. As a result, traffic bollards were installed and monitored. The implementation of the bollards did not result in reduced speeds for approaching vehicles and were hence removed since they did not reach their intended scope. No complaints were received from vehicle drivers who proceed towards the Marsa Bypass from Triq Aldo Moro.

Temporary Road Closures in Tower Road, Sliema and St. Edward Street, Qormi

Triq San Edwardu – Qormi

 

Transport Malta notifies that due to construction works, part of Triq San Edwardu in Qormi (between Triq Antonio Fenech and Triq Zinzel) will be closed to traffic on Sunday 25th January 2015 between 07:00hrs and 19:00hrs.

Vehicular traffic coming from Triq Mdina will be diverted onto Triq il-Ġdida.  Vehicular traffic coming from Triq il-Vitorja will be diverted onto Triq Zinzell.

Public Transport:

Route Buses 61 and 209 coming from Marsa Park and Ride towards Żebbug will proceed towards the roundabout of Tal-Imgħallaq onto Triq Mdina and follow the normal route to Żebbug.

Triq it-Torri – Sliema

Transport Malta notifies that due to construction works, part of Triq it-Torri in Sliema (between The Strand and Triq Bisazza) will be closed to traffic on Sunday 25th January 2015 between 09:00hrs and 15:00hrs. Vehicular traffic including public transport will be diverted through Tigne’ Tunnels towards Qui Si Sana.

Motorists are advised to proceed with caution.

Any inconvenience is regretted.

Road Closure – Balzan – Tuesday 20-01-2015

Transport Malta notifies that due to construction works, Triq Idmejda (as from HSBC Balzan branch) will be closed to vehicular traffic on Tuesday 20th January 2015 between 09:00hrs and 16:00 hrs.

Bus Route 106 will be diverted from Balzan square (behind the church) to Triq Guze’ Bonnici, Triq Antonio Micallef, Triq Wied Hal Balzan, Triq Birbal and will follow the normal route to Ta’ Qali.  Return journey will not be affected.

Motorists are advised to proceed with caution.