Mgarr project may be scaled down

Marine works at Mgarr and Cirkewwa as part of the harbours project are almost complete and both berths at Cirkewwa are expected to be in use shortly, Transport Minister Censu Galea said in parliament yesterday.

He said that work on the semi-underground car park at Mgarr was also almost ready. This car park, he said, had been practically imposed by Mepa on the Maritime Authority, raising costs. Talks were currently being held on the extent of the rest of the project and whether it should be reduced.

At Cirkewwa it has been decided that a fresh call for tenders would be issued for the building of the terminal building.

Work on the project had been due for completion this year.

The minister was replying to questions by Labour MP Joe Mizzi. The minister also told Labour MP Justyn Caruana last week that the project ws being re-assessed.

The harbours project, which was originally estimated to cost Lm13 million, has so far also involved the upgrading and extension of the existing quays in both harbours, extensive land reclamation, particularly at Cirkewwa for marshalling areas, and the building of a new quay at Cirkewwa. The project is to include passenger terminals at both harbours.