Appeals by tunnel bidders still being heard by Public Contracts Review Board

Opposition MP Chris Said, has asked Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Aaron Farrugia, what developments had been made in the past 8 months on the permanent link project between Malta and Gozo, which is currently under an appeals process.

In his reply to the Parliamentary Question, Minister Farrugia said that over the past months the first stage (pre-qualification questionnaire) of the selection of the contractors who will build and operate this new infrastructure was completed, when the first recommendation was issued.

“However, as already explained to the House, two of the other bidders have submitted an appeal to object to the recommendation that they do not proceed to the second stage of the process,” the Minister said.

Farrugia added that, “these two appeals are still in the process of being heard by the Public Contracts Review Board. The selection process enters its second phase when there is a decision on these appeals.”

Dr Said also asked Minister Farrugia what studies are in progress on the project and who is carrying them out.

He questioned what, if any, studies had been concluded in the last eight months and if so, which, who had carried them out and could a copy be placed on the Table of the House.

In his response, Minister Farrugia said that “the experts engaged to study this project and prepare its environmental impact assessment, are working on a micro simulation model that analyses the effects of the new tunnel on the junctions and surrounding roads.”

“As we have already said many times, once the contractor selection processes and the related studies are completed, all the studies being carried out, or yet to be carried out will be published for public consultation as is the required established process to determine the final permit for the project from the environment and planning authorities,” Minister Farrugia said.

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