Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1335208
NEWS 9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 JANUARY 2021 opment in l-Imrieħel", the TIS recom- mended transforming Junction E into a grade-separated junction with "an overpass that links the northbound Dawret l-Imrieħel carriageway with Triq in-Negozju". According to the study this link should serve "as an entry to, as well as an exit from the eastern part of l-Im- rieħel. This would complement the Triq l-Imdina northbound exit." The Transport Planning Unit had even made the Quad Towers pro- ject's approval conditional on the development of both the underpass between Dawret l-Imrieħel and Triq l-Intonjatur and the development of a grade-separated junction between Dawret l-Imrieħel and Triq in-Negoz- ju. In the report submitted on 15 Octo- ber 2015, the TPU concluded that "it is essential that the applicant reach- es agreement with Transport Malta" which, "if required", includes a contri- bution for the implementation of the proposed measures. Moreover in view of other pending applications in the area the TPU in- sisted that the Mrieħel Regeneration Master Plan is approved "prior to fur- ther assessment" of the traffic implica- tions of the Quad development. Moreover it also warned that more developments arising from the desig- nation of Mrieħel as a high-rise zone for offices, will aggravate the problem. "Traffic is likely to become even worse with the development of other sites in the Industrial Estate such as the re- development of the Farsons Brewery site and other developments that may arise as a result of the FAR Policy," the TIS warned. SEA needed according to Farsons studies The Quad Towers project was not the only one approved on condition of an agreement with Transport Malta which foresees a financial contribu- tion for the Transport Master Plan. The clearance for the Farsons Tri- dent business park states that this agreement should cover "the amount of the financial contribution" to the masterplan and the "holistic upgrad- ing of road infrastructure along the sections of network bordering the Mriehel Enterprise hub." The Transport Impact Assessment for the Trident development refers to the need of junction upgrades in Daw- ret l-Imriehel. However these meas- ures are designed "not to mitigate the impact on the highway of the pro- posed development", but as sugges- tions to "which the Planning Author- ity and Transport Malta could give regard during the processes leading to an integrated spatial development plan for the Mriehel area." The TIA warns that the realisation of the suggested junction upgrades is bound to have an adverse impact on agricultural land and uses in the Wied is-Sewda area "which cannot be con- sidered impacts caused by the Farsons project, as the problems with the sec- tion of the network around and within the zone have been experienced for long". It also suggests that these impacts should be assessed in a strategic en- vironmental assessment (SEA) for the Mriehel spatial plan. No such SEA was held before the submission of the lat- est plans. Why is the flyover needed? Infrastructure Malta has told Malt- aToday that the proposed flyover and other infrastructural works along the Mrieħel bypass will require the take- up of 15,000 sq.m of agricultural land. Of these 5,657sq.m will be required for the new flyover and the roundabout beneath at the T-junction with In-Ne- gozju Street. A further 8,800sq.m of land are required for a new segregated lane for a pedestrian and cycling lane. IM insists that the aim of the project is "to reduce collision risks at its junc- tion with Mriehel and to introduce new facilities for more sustainable modes of travel" as already envisaged in the local plan and the National Transport Master Plan. But interviewed by Reno Bugeja, transport minister Ian Borg hinted that the project is also required to ser- vice developments in the area. While downplaying the connection between the high-rise project owned by the Gasan and Tumas groups and the proposed flyover, he pointed his finger at other developments being proposed in the area including a facto- ry extension which is "hanging in the balance, because of the lack of suitable access to Mrieħel" and "another com- pany, but not the ones you mentioned – which depends specifically on that junction being finalised…". Methode Electonics is the only major factory in the area which has a pend- ing planning application which fore- sees the rebuilding of the factory on 5 floors and 3 basement parking levels. A formal planning application (PA8050/20) for major roadworks on the Mriehel bypass was presented in the first week of November