Call for tenders on vertical connection to Valletta

A call for tenders in relation to the vertical connection from Grand Harbour to Valletta will be issued in June, Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett told The Times.

Mr Mugliett said lifts were expected to be in place in around 18 months' time to provide cruise liner passengers with convenient access to the capital city. The entire project will be funded by private enterprise.

He said the brief had already been defined and an outline development application was submitted to the Malta Environment Planning Authority. "As soon as that is approved, we will issue the call."

The tender will include vertical and inclined lifts as well as a wider concession covering the ditch areas.

However, a ministry spokesman said it has ruled out a proposal by Viset, the operators of the cruise liner terminal, to install a cable car system because of a number of objections.

Viset has argued that the Valletta Waterfront project is heavily dependent on such a link and urged the government to reconsider the option.

Mr Mugliett said that in order to proceed to Valletta, cruise liner passengers would be able to make use of the vertical connection and taxis.

"There has also been interest in a call for electric vehicles that could provide transportation. We have also introduced a bus route though we have to monitor the effectiveness of it since Viset want a better service," he said.

The Lm10 million Valletta Waterfront Project was officially opened in June of last year. The new cruise passenger terminal hosted its first passengers last February.