Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg and Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri announced a new development in the Malta-Gozo Tunnel project, as today, 4th of June 2020, was the deadline for the call for participation in a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) which Infrastructure Malta issued in January 2020, and extended until today after a request by prospective bidders. There were four bidders in total, composed of two consortia and two companies from several different countries, including Malta.

Minister Ian Borg said, “Once again, this government is delivering on its promises and we can see more progress on a project that will give more equal opportunities to Gozitans. Today, we’ve had the news that the pre-qualification questionnaire stage has ended, and we had four bidders. This is another step forward towards more connectivity, quality infrastructure for everyone and new facilities for the people, especially those who live in Gozo. I look forward to taking more steps forward together and to see that this Gozitan dream, which has become a dream of the government, will finally become reality.”

Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that the interest of international consortia in the project encourages the government to continue implementing what, for many Gozitans, used to be just a dream. He expressed his satisfaction with this news and explained that this tunnel will give many advantages to Gozitans to cross the channel daily to go to work. Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said that this project will be the largest infrastructural project in Malta and Gozo, and one looks forward for the process to continue so that the permanent link can happen.

Minister Camilleri said that the permanent link will mean that Gozitans can be more optimistic about accessing any opportunity, equal to any other Maltese citizen. This government has made an effort to improve the economic situation in Gozo and considers this project as one that will ensure the rebirth of the social and economic spheres of the island. 

Minister Clint Camilleri concluded by saying that Gozo and Gozitans are being given priority thanks to an infrastructural investment that is prioritising the economic, social and environmental characteristics of Gozo. 

The tunnel between Malta and Gozo is expected to be 14 kilometres long and will be partially subsea, with one lane in each direction and another in the middle in cases of emergency. Following the evaluation of this questionnaire, a discussion will commence with respect to plans for the implementation of the project by the chosen bidders.