Drivers passing through the Tal-Qroqq tunnels on Friday morning noticed that some of the infamous blue and green tiles outside the tunnels appear to be dislodged from the wall.

A closer look shows entire sections of the tiles are coming off, alarming drivers passing through one of the island’s busiest tunnels. 

Infrastructure Malta said it was notified of the matter earlier on Friday, and was looking into the matter with the contractors. 

The decorative tiles are part of a €10 million tunnel rehabilitation project, which was first announced back in 2019 by then-Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg. 

The works included the tunnels at Tal-Qroqq, Kirkop, Santa Venera, and Ta’ Ġiorni, which cover over 4.8 kilometres of lanes of the arterial road network. 

Costs to be covered by contractor 

An Infrastructure Malta spokesperson confirmed the flaws seen in the recently installed tiles and said the agency instructed the contractor responsible for the upgrading and embellishment of the tunnels to investigate the matter. 

“The contractor was instructed to remove the tiles that appear to have come off the wall, to check all the other tiles, to repair the damages identified, and to implement any rectification measures necessary to ensure such faults do not recur,” he told Times of Malta. 

“Infrastructure Malta and the contractor’s architects are looking into the matter. The tiles that appear to be dislodged will be removed immediately.”

When asked how much it will cost to remove and repair the tiles, he said the upgrade of the tunnels is covered by a "defects liability guarantee" and any repairs or remedial works required will be carried out at the contractor’s expense. 

Installed last summer, the colourful tiles were criticised by many who said the tiles should be stuck to bathroom walls and not a main road. 

The spokesperson said works on the Tal-Qroqq tunnel cost around €4 million. Works included structural works, and all new installations, such as lighting, emergency, and fire fighting systems, resurfacing, surveillance cameras, and a new control room.