Dense traffic on roads to Valletta as dismantling of City Gate starts

Valletta’s City Gate yesterday started being dismantled in preparation for its demolition. New traffic arrangements came into force, contributing to a major build-up of traffic on some roads leading to the capital in the morning rush-hour.

While at the immediate accesses to Valletta the traffic was generally smooth, jams formed along St Anne Street in Floriana and long tailbacks formed on Mrieħel, Qormi and Marsa arteries.

Several factors contributed to the slow down, including the new arrangements in Valletta, works at the Sea Passenger Terminal in Floriana and the start of school after the Easter holidays.

Motorists entering Valletta through St Anne Street were greeted by road signs advising them to choose their lane and decide which side of the city they wanted to access.

As Pope Pius V Road, above City Gate, was closed for good, drivers could either enter the city by driving up Ġlormu Cassar Avenue and through St Paul Street (near Auberge de Castille) or by turning left at the War Memorial, towards Marsamxett, and driving in through St Mark Street (further up from Biago Steps).

While the St Paul Street access was generally clear, traffic jams formed along the road leading to Marsamxett. Traffic there moved slowly but steadily.

A new traffic lights system near the Phoenicia Hotel instilled order but contributed to the jams. Cars driving through Mall Street (from the police headquarters) could only turn towards Marsamxett, causing a bottleneck.

Once drivers made it past that bottleneck, by the time they drove past the public library the road was clear. Those who wanted to enter Valletta could then proceed through St Mark Street where a lighting system indicated whether the road was open or closed.

A Transport Malta spokesman said this system allowed for real time automated messaging. “When the light turns red, motorists can proceed along either Marsamxett Road and access Valletta through West Street or any other access point, or wait until St Mark Street is cleared of traffic,” she said.

Traffic passing through St Mark’s flowed quite smoothly but once in Old Bakery Street, anyone wishing to reach the Hastings’ area needed a dose of good luck since there were no signs showing the way.

Motorists can get there by circling Vincenti Buildings through the narrow streets. The Transport Malta spokesman explained that signs will be put up, adding that residents had been handed leaflets outlining the new route.

“There were no traffic problems other than the initial issues one expects when changing traffic management in such a way. We expect motorists to be used to the new arrangements in no time,” she said.

All the new traffic arrangements implemented at the junction between Sarria and Great Siege roads, including the traffic lights, are permanently installed to support the re-distribution of network traffic into Valletta.

“We are fine-tuning the traffic lights’ programming to maximise traffic flow,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, City Gate started being prepared for demolition with the removal of fixtures such as electricity cables and metal rails. Demolition should start within the next few days but an exact date is not known.

City Gate is closed to pedestrians for safety reasons for the next two weeks. Commuters arriving in Valletta by bus have to go through St James Ditch, take a passageway connected to the Central Bank and emerge on the top part of Ġlormu Cassar Avenue near Castille. This passage will be open between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. A shuttle service is offered to people with mobility problems.

Some people complained about the walk, which takes about five minutes. One woman said she would be scared to use the path in the dark. Others complained about the rough road and potholes in the area of the terminus.

Another woman said the works had to be carried out and people just had to be patient for a while.

City Gate’s past

The City Gate we know, to be demolished within days, is the fourth structure to have stood at the entrance to Valletta.

The original gate, known as Porta San Giorgio, was designed by military engineer Francesco Laparelli de Carotona and was built between 1566 and 1569.

In 1632 it was replaced by an ornate gate designed by Maltese architect Tommaso Dingli. His design consisted of a central archway with a smaller arch at each side.

In 1853, at the height of British rule, a new gate designed by a Col Thompson of the Royal Engineers was erected. It consisted of two central arches with two smaller ones.

Known by many as Putirjal (a corruption of the word Porta Reale which means Royal Gate) the current gate was inaugurated in 1964. Many criticised it because it did not blend with the rest of Valletta’s historic buildings.

The gate will now be replaced by an entrance designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano.