Cost of bypass collapse could top Lm0.5m

The cost of repairing the stretch in the St Paul's Bay bypass that collapsed in 2000 following illegal excavations by Polidano Brothers will amount to "more than Lm500,000", according to an architect for the Malta Transport Authority (ADT).

The correct estimate will be finalised towards the end of this month.

The second phase of the EU-funded €6 million reconstruction of the bypass, which includes the affected stretch of road, will only start once the collapsed section has been buttressed properly, according to Mario Ellul, the ADT's architect who is responsible for overseeing the project.

Polidano Brothers had themselves tendered for the hefty contract but lost the bid to Asfaltar Ltd.

When originally questioned about the St Paul's Bay contract, the ADT had said that the cost of repairing the affected area would not be taken from the €6 million allocated to rebuild the road.

The cost of the repairs, six years after the road first collapsed, has still to be quantified correctly by the ADT, which says it is exploring various engineering solutions given the complexity of the task.

Polidano Brothers have repeatedly refused to speak publicly about the matter. A recent inquiry by the audit officer at the Malta Environment and Planning Authority established, in a note confirmed by the ADT, that shortly after the road collapse Polidano Brothers had accepted to make good the damage caused.

According to the report it was agreed that they would apply for a permit to build a structure and an apartment complex, which would secure the site from other mudslides.

A few months ago there was a further mudslide underneath a building adjacent to the site, forcing an evacuation.

mmicallef@timesofmalta.com