Work on the rebuilding of the road linking Victoria to San Lawrenz in Gozo is gaining momentum with the the new road taking its final shape.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett yesterday visited the work in progress on the project, the first of three to be co-financed with the European Union, which are set to leave a big impact on the driving experience in Gozo.

Later this year, work will begin on two other main roads, co-financed by the EU: one connecting Mgarr port to Ghajnsielem and the road to Xlendi.

Mrs Debono said most of the work to widen the first phase of the San Lawrenz road is already in an advanced stage, with work currently being undertaken on the construction of walls that form the base of the road.

In the coming days, the part of the road between Pope John Paul II up to the junction to Ta' Pinu, where work is currently under way, will be closed so that more intensive work can be undertaken. Meanwhile, traffic to Gharb, Ghasri and San Lawrenz will be diverted to the existing Zebbug-Ghasri road, while cars can continue from the Ta' Ghammar area to the Ta' Pinu junction.

At the same time, a new surface will be applied to parts of this alternative route to facilitate the movement of traffic.

Mrs Debono also said that this year the Gozo Ministry is to implement an intensive road modernisation programme on the island, consisting of not only these three main roads but other roads, funded from the Budget, including Ramla Road, the residential zones in Xaghra, Victoria, Xewkija, Ghasri, Ta' Kercem, Marsalforn, Nadur and Ghajnsielem.

Mr Mugliett said that, following the start of work on the Hal Far road last November, Gozo is now also benefiting from EU funds. The three roads in Gozo amount to 15 per cent of the arterial and distributory roads on the island.

Work on the Mgarr Road, to be funded from Cohesion Funds, will begin in a few weeks, as soon as the adjudication process is completed and work on the road to Xlendi will begin later this year.

The synergy that already exists between the Gozo Ministry, his ministry and the Trandsport Authority (ADT), which is providing technical assistance, augured well for the continuation of work to be financed by the EU in Gozo this year, Mr Mugliett said.

The three kilometre road from Victoria to San Lawrenz is the main thoroughfare for vehicles travelling to Ta' Pinu Sanctuary and Dwejra. It is also the main arterial road linking Gozo's capital with the villages in the western part of the island.

Work on this road started about a month ago and involves the rebuilding of Gharb and Pope John Paul II streets according to high standards of road construction, road widening and improvement in road alignment plus a number of juctions along the length of the road. €4 million have been voted for this project from the EU Structural Funds for 2004-2006. Malta and Gozo are benefiting from €25 million in these funds for road improvements which are financed from the budget period ending on December 31.