Transport minister mulls permanence of San Gwann traffic diversion

Transport minister Joe Mizzi refused to rule out turning a recent traffic diversion in Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann into a permanent traffic route.

Through the diversion, traffic that used to pass through the roundabout at Vjal ir-Rihan is now being diverted around the block, onto Triq Salvu Busuttil and Triq Caruana Dingli. The changes were introduced to prepare San Gwann for the traffic influx that it is set to receive upon the closure of the Kappara junction.

It was originally planned as a temporary diversion, to brace San Gwann for the influx of cars that are set to pass through it during the works on the Kappara Junction project.

Responding to a series of parliamentary questions, Mizzi said that it is too early to tell whether the diversion will remain in place once the Kappara Junction is complete.

“Once the project is complete, we will review the diversion and decide whether to keep it in place or not, while taking everything into consideration,” he said.

His comments drew the ire of Opposition MP Kristy Debono, who warned that the diversion has come at great inconvenience to residents of Triq Salvu Busuttil, that was effectively turned into a main road overnight.

“It’s a residential street with 48 garages, and while residents realize that some temporary measures are a necessary evil, it’s not right to keep them living in uncertainty,” she said.

A fired-up Mizzi retorted that government will seek to reduce inconveniences as much as possible.

He argued that the widened route between the Swieqi Valley and Triq Caruana Dingli is likely to remain a popular route for cars following the Kappara Junction project, and that opening the roundabout again could create a traffic bottleneck.

“I’m aware that the diversions caused inconvenience to some residents, but it was also welcomed by other residents who saw traffic in their streets decrease overnight,” he said.