Seven bids for experts to help in Gozo tunnel preparations; talks underway for fourth ferry

A call for the selection of a contractor to design, build and operate the Malta-Gozo tunnel will be issued 'soon', Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg said on Monday. Seven bidders have responded to a call for offers for technical experts to support Infrastructure Malta in the planning and implementation of the tunnel project, the minister said in a Facebook post. The average value of the bids is €10.5million.  Read: Malta-Gozo tunnel plans should be ready within six months The current proposal would lead to the creation of a 13km-long tunnel with a 7 metre radius and one traffic lane heading in either direction, with an additional safety lane. An undersea Malta-Gozo tunnel would run between Manikata and Nadur, according to studies currently being considered by the government. Meanwhile, Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana said on Sunday that Gozo Channel is to acquire a fourth ferry - a response to huge queues at the ferry terminals during the holidays and long weekends. Speaking at a Labour political conference, the minister said that talks are in hand for the company to acquire a fourth ferry. She gave no further details. Times of Malta had reported in June that plans for the charter...