€6 million flood relief project completed by next year

The €6 million flood relief project for the Zabbar and Marsascala area set to be completed by August 2014, infrastructure minister Joe Mizzi said.

Speaking during a visit to a section of the project, Mizzi explained that an underground tunnel would be constructed between Zabbar and Marsascala over the length of 3.2km.

Works on the project began in July and 85% of the costs will be covered by EU cohesion funds, Mizzi said.

The project, part of the national plan to control and collect rain water, will ensure that rainwater is collected in Zabbar, preventing flooding in Marsascala.

The national flood relief project includes the construction of a number of reservoirs, tunnels, canals and bridges in Gzira, Zebbug, Attard, Birkirkara, Lija, Balzan and Msida.

The €52 million national flood relief project is expected to be fully completed by August 2014.