Be the first to comment!Update – Malta-Gozo tunnel: investigative coring underway on land and at sea
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Update statement from Front Favur il-Mina below – The Malta-Gozo tunnel project has entered a new phase of studies, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg announced today.
The Minister said in a statement that these studies began on the 18th of October, and take ten days at a time in each spot. A process of studies at sea is expected to begin in the coming days.
He added that Transport Malta decided to start coring after the summer period to “avoid disrupting activity in these areas during this season.”
The contractor which won a tender last June – Geotec Spa – started extracting a series of investigative samples which are being carried out in different spots on land and at sea.
The Minister said that the work is be undertaken in collaboration with the Environmental Resources Authority, to ensure the least environmental impact possible.
Dr Borg explained that as part of the studies in the project, Transport Malta is working with the University, which together with OGS Triesta has already conducted a series of seismic investigations during the past few months.
The seismic and geological investigations results and analysis will then be used to establish a geological model of the zone under investigation, he said.
Minister Borg concluded by saying that “these studies will form an important step in the process of guiding the design of the proposed tunnel between the islands.”
Front Favur il-Mina statement
Front Favur il-Mina has said in a statement that the new phase of studies in the proposed Malta-Gozo tunnel are an essential next stage for the project.
The Front said that from the start is has always believed that the geological studies should be given priority in order to make informed decisions on the tunnel project.
It added that, although the studies and even the project itself will take time to complete, the Front stressed the importance and necessity of other short term measures that need to start immediately, such as the fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo and called on the authorities concerned “to introduce this service immediately.”
