6.9 kilometers (km) of the existing coast road, stretching from Pembroke right down to the Bugibba area, will be upgraded and widened following the approval of two planning applications by the MEPA Board earlier today.

The project aims to ensure safer road design in accordance with international standards and provide better accessibility throughout the TEN-T network.

MEPA said that the existing arterial road which stretches from Pembroke to Bahar ic-Caghaq (approx 1.8 kms) will be widened by nearly 10 metres to include a 4-lane carriage way, bicycle lanes, the construction of water reservoirs, the re-design of all access points to the arterial road and the upgrading of the entrance to the Splash and Fun Park in Bahar ic-Caghaq. “It is envisaged that approximately 16,000m2 of land will be taken up for the road widening of this area.”

From Bahar ic-Caghaq to the Bugibba Junction in St.Paul’s Bay Caghaq (approx 5.1 kms), the road will be widened by nearly 15-20 metres and will also include a 4-lane carriage way and bicycle lanes, except for the area adjacent to the Coastline Hotel.

“The widening and upgrading of this road, while having a take of land which is close to 56,000m2, will ensure that any accident black spots will be removed while major improvements will be introduced to access points including the entrance to Bugibba,” MEPA said.

The mature trees which line the Kennedy Drive in the Salina area have been incorporated into the project and will serve as a central strip.

An Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out for this project. The report which noted the applicants efforts to retain and widen as much as possible the existing road and keep to the bear minimum the take up of agricultural land, recommended a number of mitigation measures to protect both natural and cultural heritage features in the area.

MEPA said that “although 2087 trees will be removed, of which 1140 are alien species (species that are non-indigenous and that can harm indigenous species), 7265 trees (all indigenous) will be planted. 915 indigenous trees will be uprooted and transplanted.”

The details of certain junctions along the coast road remained a reserved matter and will be evaluated and decided through forthcoming planning applications.

The Authority imposed a €200,000 bank guarantee to ensure that Transport Malta abide by all the permit conditions.

MEPA also imposed a Planning Gain whereby the applicant has to implement, in consultation with the local council, an embellishment project in the green area that leads into Bahar ic-Caghaq. In the event that the applicant fails to implement the embellishment within 5 years from the issue of this permit, a contribution of €100,000 shall be made to MEPA’s EIPP fund to be used for the same purpose.

Permalink: Coast road upgrade to ensure high safety standards – MEPA