What is the Central Link Project?

The Central Link road project is an immensely controversial one, this mainly being to the environmental impact of the road on its surroundings.

Firstly, what is the Central Link project? The Central Link project is a road project that will span from the junction in front of the MFSA (in Birkirkara) all the way to the roundabout that connects to Triq Tas-Saqqajja, leading to Rabat and Mdina. In essence it will widen the current road between these two points, as well replace some of the current junctions with roundabouts. So, what is the problem with this? Mainly, the uprooting of trees, as well a loss of large tracts of farmland. For a better analysis, we can look at what The Times of Malta says in its fact checking of the claims made by the authorities about the Central Link.An example of a claim made by the PA: “Cleaner air: 66% less particulate matter emissions” According to the EIA, particulate matter (PM1o) emissions from traffic will be 42% lower in 2030 and 60% lower in 2045 with the project than without it.But these are not reductions over current levels: because of the predicted addition of tens of thousands of cars, emissions in 2030 and 2045 are actually projected to be marginally higher than they are now, even with the project. The current level of emissions in the area exceeds threshold limits, and this will continue to be the case even after the project is implemented. Another example is “50% less travel time: more quality time for you” Meanwhile, the reality is that travel times will eventually increase marginally, unless car use is cut Infrastructure Malta claims the project will halve travel time “even when considering potential future increases in transport demand”. The EIA found that travel times will be reduced once the project is completed, but that gains will be effectively nullified within a decade. That said, the EIA found that without the project, peak morning travel times in the area would increase nearly three times over by 2030, and more than eight times over by 2045. Currently, 549 trees are set to be uprooted in the entire project, and only 766. This falls about 900 trees short of what the ERA demands. When taking these facts into consideration, one must observe, properly, what is currently being undertaken, and one must criticise the relevant authority responsible for all that is involved.