An open consultation for the public to talk about the preparation of an EIA report on the Malta- Gozo tunnel, has been launched by the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change.

The proposed tunnel project involves the excavation and construction of a bored single-tube tunnel for vehicles, connecting Malta and Gozo with a Malta-side tunnel portal at L-Imbordin and a Gozo-side tunnel portal on the west of Nadur.  Following a preliminary analysis, four tunnel alignment options were taken into consideration. Given that an immersed tube tunnel would result in extensive environmental impacts on the seabed, a bored tunnel is being recommended by the developer. In this regard, the immersed tube tunnel was not considered further. The tunnel will have two lanes, one in each direction, a width of 3.25m to 3.50m, a central buffer area in between with a width of approx. 1.00m, and a 1.00m wide shoulder on both sides of the carriageway. The tunnel structure itself will be constructed with concrete segments and include infrastructural systems for ventilation, illumination, water drainage and pumping, etc.

The tunnel portals will comprise of concrete structures as well, connecting the rock tunnel and the surface. The public is being invited to submit written comments on matters it wishes to see included in the terms of reference. Click here for the document download. Submissions must be sent by 15.08.2018 by email: eia.malta@era.org.mt  or by post to: EIA Team Environment & Resources Authority Hexagon House, Spencer Hill, Marsa, MRS 1441. Click here for further on the project, here and mt/16 for tunnelbuilder archive. Visit http://gozonews.com/72189/public-invited-to-submit-comments-for-eia-report-on-malta-gozo-tunnel/ .

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