No estimate yet on damage to footbridge

Transport Malta is still calculating how much it woud cost to repair the footbridge across Aldo Moro Street in Marsa that was damaged when a mechanical excavator carried on a trailer rammed into it four weeks ago.

As a result of this ongoing exercise, the programme of repair works has not yet been finalised. The mechanical excavator, carried on the trailer, banged into the footpath on April 23 at about 12.45 p.m., causing chaos in the main thoroughfares of Marsa and the surrounding localities, even leading to some flights being delayed when air crew got stuck in the tailback. Some Matsec exams also had to be postponed.

Some emergency repair work has been done but the bulk will only start once architects conclude their investigations.

Transport Malta is also still drawing up a programme of works, after which it will prepare and publish the traffic management scheme that will be implemented during the works.

In the meantime, Transport Malta has initiated legal proceedings against the owner and driver of the trailer and want them to foot the bill for the damage caused.

In a judicial protest filed last week, Transport Malta called on 60-year-old Carmel Spiteri, the owner, and the driver, also a Carmel Spiteri, aged 56, to pay for the damage.

Transport Malta claimed the driver caused the incident due to negligence and in breach of driving regulations. The owner was also responsible, it argued, because the vehicle was not licensed or insured. The licence expired in August 2006.

The Spiteris and two other people who are believed to have loaded the excavator on the trailer are likely to face criminal proceedings. The charges have not yet been filed because the inquiry by Magistrate Edwina Grima is still pending.