The number of roadwork projects given the green light has halved since 2015, a review of the permits issued shows.

About 150 such projects have been authorised, a drastic drop compared to the figures noted when Times of Malta had first conducted a review of the permits in 2015. At the time, motorists were fuming because about 306 roadwork projects had been cleared by the authorities, clogging up much of the traffic grid.

Since then, Times of Malta conducted regular reviews of the permits issued by the authorities and, while the number remained fairly steady throughout 2016, the past few months have experienced a steady decline.

Traffic and road congestion remain a major issue to the public, topping various surveys as one of the main sources of frustration.

St Paul's Bay will have the highest concentration of roadworks, with 20 tarmac-patching jobs being okayed.

Qormi came in second with 16 roadwork projects, followed by Birkirkara and Qormi, with 11 each.

When the roadworks review exercise was first conducted by this newspaper, repaving works in a number of localities, including Vittoriosa and Rabat, featured high on the list. These have now been completed, contributing to the drop in the number of roadwork projects.

Traffic congestions, which many motorists complained of as works were in progress, however, are not only annoying but also have a hefty financial burden on the country.

Earlier this year, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said traffic was costing the Maltese economy €200 million in GDP a year. This would rise to €1.2 billion by 2050 unless current policies were changed, he warned.

Major roadworks not only blocked off certain areas but had a spin-off effect on surrounding areas.

Four major infrastructural projects, costing nearly €400 million – the Kappara project, the Aldo Moro flyover, the  Addolorata Cemetery flyover and the Regional Road tunnel in St Andrew’s – have all added to the traffic problem today, hopefully resulting in a smoother flow once completed.