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Breakwater bridge being fabricated in Spain

The proposed new single-span bridge.

The proposed new single-span bridge.

The steel bridge which will link Fort St Elmo to one of the Grand Harbour breakwater arms is currently being fabricated in Spain and will be delivered later this year, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt has announced.

The bridge will be delivered practically ready to be put in place.

The project was unveiled in 2009, when Dr Gatt said it was projected to cost €2.8 million. It was originally meant to be completed late last year.

The project is being financed by Transport Malta.

The original bridge, partly demolished in an Italian e-boat attack in 1941 and subsequently removed,  had consisted of two spans resting on central pillars, which are still standing.

Although the government's plan was to reconstruct a replica of the Victorian bridge, the proposal was found to require a lot of steel and was not deemed cost-effective.  As a result, a simpler design was drawn up, incorporating a steel arch, a timber deck and an observation area.

The tender conditions specified that the bridge must have a lifespan of 120 years. 12 bids were submitted for the project

The steel bridge is one of the government's projects for the regeneration of Grand Harbour, which also includes the panoramic lift linking Lascaris Wharf to Upper Barrakka, and the removal of the tank-cleaning facility.

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Manuel Briffa

Jun 22nd 2011, 17:19

Hear! Hear

angelo cilia

Jun 21st 2011, 21:20

We could have built it out of granite stone for much less than 2.8 million, we have the know how and the skill in stone masonry and it would have been much better to withstand the elements as even the finest Toledo steel corrodes in the salty air of a pounding sea storm.

Elena Attard

Jun 21st 2011, 23:51

Probably not. Why so surprised?

karen chircop

Jun 22nd 2011, 00:26

Yes we do have the skill to make this bridge here in MALTA!My husband is an engineer and he could have made it for a fraction of the cost!Just a disgrace as usual.

Mr Joe Gatt

Jun 23rd 2011, 09:32

Elena Attard

Are you aware that the Gozo Channel Ferry Boats were built locally? Apart from many other projects, so you may doubt or think that we cannot build a small, unecessary, small yet expensive Bridge from nowhere to nowhere?

Hopefully, this does not translate to the low self esteem of some individuals?

U forsi xi `Cuc` Malti

Andre Cilia

Jun 21st 2011, 19:33

It isn't for the bridge, it is part of history just like St. Angelo and St. Elmo...

Victor Pulis

Jun 21st 2011, 19:54

It is not part of history. It's a totally new bridge. And even if it was the exact copy of the old bridge it still wouldn't be historical. Besides, there are other more important projects on which to spend 2.8 million euro. That's what I mean by priorities.

angelo cilia

Jun 21st 2011, 21:04

Andre has a valid point, too bad the Royal Opera house was not rebuilt to its 1866 EM Barry glory instead of that Renzo Piano cables and poles open tennis court mess we are going to pay for.

Manuel Briffa

Jun 21st 2011, 16:40

Alistair, thabbilx rasek, issa forsi jarmaw xi erbgha gabbani bil-burgers u chips u tara kemm jibdew jinzlu nies hemmekk jaraw il bridge. Apparti hekk, xi nghidu ghal dawk il-cruise liners kollha li jghaddu min hemm kuljum u jaraw dak it-tifrik. Jghidulek f'sittin sena qas bicca bridge ma kienu kapaci jsewwu dawn?

guido cutajar

Jun 21st 2011, 19:45

@ Manuel Briffa..........I believe that when I am spending money ( especially somebody else money ) I have to make sure that I will have a good return ` financially `. otherwise I will be wasting their money, (at this case the citizens money.) You that do not gemgem, can you please tell me what are we getting back from building again the bridge ? If you read my comment below,you will understand what I mean. Now if your intentions are to earn some money yourself by taking the Gabbani of bergers contracts....that is another thing. Kullhadd bravu jahli u jonfoq flus haddiehor bhal ma qeghed jghamel dan il gvern. Meta lil tal " Cruse Liners " nghejdulhom li dak il pont waqqawulna it Taljani, ghax kienu jobdu lil Germanizi, u tort kien ta l-Inglizi, ghax thalna fil gwerra habba fihom. Dawn huma il maggoranza tat turisti li jigu, u zgur li ma jiehdux pjacir.

Mr John Baldacchino

Jun 21st 2011, 15:55

You must look up the meaning of the word ‘DEMOCRACY’. By the way, times of Malta should remove the comment feature then! constructive comments should be here and not silenced so please let them speak out what they think and everyone should be left free to make up his mind.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 16:10

Mr John Baldacchino For Manwel Briffa Democracy is spelled either "The Mockracy" or DeMOCKracy".
your choice.

Manuel Briffa

Jun 21st 2011, 16:48

Mr Baldacchino, I hope you agree that I too am entitled to speak my mind without being ostracised

Stefan Zammit

Jun 21st 2011, 18:33

@Tony Camilleri: Seeing you are familiar with democracy, then you should know that whoever is in government has the responsibility to spend the tax payer's money the way they see most fit, irrelevant of your or my opinion at times.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 23:35

You are WRONG Stefan Zammit
Whoever is in government is obliged and must spend the money as a Bonus Pater Familias, a Good Father of the Family.
What your Gonezi is doing is squanderign our taxes like all PN governments always did.

Jesmond Micallef

Jun 21st 2011, 16:49

I'm sorry if my comment was seen to be negative. Still, I would recommend that the Breakwater structure below the waterline be inspected on a regular basis. That way, true and current knowledge of it's condition is known and followed through with repairs if necessary. The structure does get a hefty pounding by the waves afterall. If these inspections are being undertaken, then by all means ignore this.

Once again, well done for the bridge reconstruction.

Mr John Bonnici

Jun 21st 2011, 15:44

Yes so as to the reconstruction of the Royal theatre. Which had been destroyed by the axis, and as such the British government received war damage funds!! Mr Cameron we deserve more than a thank you!!!

Mr James Farrugia

Jun 21st 2011, 15:49

More like by the Italian Govt for blowing it up in the first place.
Hon Gatt!!! you must be kidding, blinded blue i guess.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 16:11

Henry S. Pace, Mr John Bonnici, agree with you

Mr W Cassar

Jun 21st 2011, 16:44

@ Mr John Bonnici

Actually funds were given to Malta for the Opera House, if you dont know your history don't comment. Please

Mr Matthew Galea

Jun 21st 2011, 15:26

ax awn malta mawnx welders, fhimt? dawk li kienu jahdmu welders it-tarzna u ship building, mumiex kapaci jahdmu bridge... -_-'

imbad ax awn in-nies qgheda...

Mr James Farrugia

Jun 21st 2011, 15:51

I guess it will be ready for the current govt to walk across and keep walking and walking and if possible take the persons wearing their blue blinkers with them.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 16:13

Ms Monica Muscat because the people are not blinded by the PN propaganda.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 16:14

Good idea.
Gonzi walking the plank as they used to do in the good old pirate days.

Jay Aquilina

Jun 21st 2011, 15:14

ghadek ma rajt xejn il marsa, zomm ftit iehor u tara xi traffic enormi sakemm tinqala u titlesta triq aldo moro.

Ray Gatt

Jun 21st 2011, 15:52

@ J Brincat - Most of the traffic congestion at Marsa is caused by the ignorant driving and lack of knowledge of rules we have on our island. How many of the drivers choose and keep their lane depending on their destination. One sees vehicles on the airport lane when their destination is Cottonera. Then they have to cross two or three lanes at the last seconds, thus driving horizontally across other vehicles. The opposite happens with vehicles wanting to go to the airport.

@ J Aquilina - allura tissugerixxi li triq Aldo Mora m'ghandiex issir? Jekk ma jsir xejn tgorru ghax ma sar xejn u jekk isir xorta tgorru. Maltese gemgem fuq kollox hazin u tajjeb.

Mr Tony Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 16:16

Ray Gatt dawk kollha proġetti li m'hemmx bżonnhom imma se jsiru biss biex Gonzi joqgħod jiftaħar x'għamel bi flusna u jkompli jdaħħalna f'iktar dejn.

j brincat

Jun 21st 2011, 16:27

@Ray Gatt

So you blame all on the ignorance of motorists.

Oh come off it and be serious!

(jb)

Charles Micallef

Jun 21st 2011, 15:17

The difference is, that the bridge at Imriehel saves lives and the one in the grand harbour give people a panaromic view, and now we know which is more important for this Mal-administration!

Victor Pulis

Jun 21st 2011, 14:35

The bridge being built has got nothing to do with our cultural heritage even if it was being built to the original bridge's specifications (which it is not) This bridge to nowhere is a waste of money and should have been way down there in the government's priorities after more important projects.

Mr daniel Gordon

Jun 21st 2011, 16:16

@Ian Bugeja: Thanks for the info about Boiler Nr.7.

My suggestion was more tongue-in-cheek than for real.

Re.The heritage side of the argument: There are so many other projects, which in my opinion should take priority over this bridge. This will be a millisecond view for some cruise ship visitors, and hardly a defining point of Malta's 7 thousand year history.

Thanks you for your comment.

Mr Adrian Borg Cardona

Jun 21st 2011, 17:42

Protect and restore our culturak heritage!!! Yiou must be joking. This Govt is turning Valletta slowly slowly into a shmables of a 'modern' city, destroying its character in the process. Need I mention City Gate, the open-air function place and the new Parliament. This bridge has nothing to do with our culture or heritage. It is not even a replica of the original bridge. we are just reinventing the City.

Mr Peter Korsten

Jun 21st 2011, 14:52

"Why did it have to be built in Spain?

Is there no company in Malta capable of fabricating a steel structure?"

These things go via a public tender, and the information is readily available, so you could probably answer your own questions.

Andre Cilia

Jun 21st 2011, 13:53

Or spend 2.8million to teach know it all nitwits that such projects are needed to attract tourists which in turn will pay more than the 2.8million spent (over the 120 year period), which money will be earned by the hotels/restaurants/shops which in turn increase tax revenues which can be spent on other projects/tax rebates/bridge/tunnel safety measures/boiler no.7

Robert Attard

Jun 21st 2011, 13:54

99.9999999% us anglers won't even be allowed to go fish on it.........

Mr David Buttigieg

Jun 21st 2011, 14:09

"errr, no, this is being financed by our tax contributions. No one asked me if I wanted this bridge, or even if I think its necessary. "

It's called democracy, Mr Gordon, you should look it up. People are elected to the executive and these decisions are up to them while in office and they are under no obligation to consult you.

If you disagree with the decisions you have a tool at your disposal to show it every 5 years or so.

You can even try to get yourself elected so you can take the decisions yourself!

Jonathan Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 14:09

How about taking care of our heritage Mr Gordon.

boiler no7 doesn't need to be upgrade because it'll be closed down once the delimara extension is running. At least we take care and restore our patrimony and not let it degrade as time goes by and no one does anything about it just because they believe money should be spent elsewhere.

S. Portelli

Jun 21st 2011, 14:13

2.8 million on making one of, if not, the nicest harbors in the Mediterranean look even better !!
Kulhadd jeqred f'dal pajjiz xi dwejjaq ta poplu !

Mr Mario Borg

Jun 21st 2011, 14:26

Yes, that's right. Let's all have a good old whinge about this too.

Victor Pulis

Jun 21st 2011, 14:40

Or spend 2.8million to teach know it all nitwits that such projects are needed to attract tourists....!
Sorry but are we talking about the breakwater bridge or Sidney harbour bridge? Or could it be San Francisco bridge?!
And why would tourists fall over each other to take the trip down to the bridge and walk all the way along the break water? Oh I know, they are dying to have a closer look at the... open sea!

Mr Peter Korsten

Jun 21st 2011, 14:49

"Or.......you tell me."

Another referendum... contribution for the Gozo tunnel... financing the wages for the Gozo regional council... cost overruns of all the projects going on... the extra costs of the Bisazza Street mess-up... no shortage of ideas.

Mr daniel Gordon

Jun 21st 2011, 16:05

@Andre Cilia: See comment of Victor Pulis.

@Mr David Buttigieg: Do you honestly believe that this project was put through in any type of democratic decision making way? Those MPs who dont even turn up to do their job (excluding Censu Galea and a few others) wouldn't even know that this bridge was being built!
And voting to stop a project 5 years down the line AFTER its in place isn't going to work now is it?
Democracy is also a tool that lets us complain and communicate through this media. Freedom of speech.

@Jonathan Camilleri: Yes I agree that Heritage is a very important issue that must be kept at the top of the list. I do not agree that this project should take priority when there are so many other things to be fixed. Its a bridge to nowhere. For no one. For no reason.

@S. Portelli: You think putting up a steel girder bridge will make Grand harbour look better? The shame is that people in this country dont protest enough. Thats why we get things forced upon us all the time.

@Mr Mario Borg: See above.

@All: Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Andre Cilia

Jun 21st 2011, 16:15

@Victor Pulis
Maybe for the same reason you whine about anything that is done all day long on these comments. Grow up and look beyond the first expense, see what benefits such an expense will create before babbling out stuff which only degrade your own image.

Andre Cilia

Jun 21st 2011, 16:51

@ Daniel Gordon
You seem to protest enough... on these comments here. You could have organised a group against it (and you would have found quite a number of moaners mind you) and made your opposition more vocal. No one stopped you...
But obviously... just commenting on the Times is much easier...

Mr M Farrugia

Jun 21st 2011, 14:29

il-lokali seghtaw ikkowtaw ghalih ukoll kieku xtaqu habib,

Victor Vella

Jun 21st 2011, 13:16

Xtipretendi li inhalsu id doppju biex inkunu bnejnieh Malta?Mur oqghod b ilsienkhom kieku dwar il favuri u in neputizmu.imma kif xejn ma jogobkhom.

Ivan Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 13:21

Lawrence,

Kien hemm 12-il tender, u nemmen li kien hemm kumpaniji maltin jippartecipaw. Jista jkun li ta' barra kienu irhas?

Mr Steve Cassar

Jun 21st 2011, 13:27

Lawrence Fenech - Xtipretendi li kollox isir malta? Kieku riedu kumpanijji maltin setaw jitfaw tender biex isir!
Avolja cert li xorta kont tgerger wara ghax tghid li x-xol sar hazin u intefqu hafna flus ghalxejn etc etc ...
Tghallem apprezza li qed isir xi haga mhux dejjem irridu ngergru fuq kollox u fuq kulhadd!
Possibli ma ahniex kapaci naraw xi haga tajba fdal-pajjiz? Negattiv biss naraw f'ghajnejna?

Joseph J Camilleri

Jun 21st 2011, 13:48

Naqbel ma' Victor Vella. Nispera li tal-PL ma jghidux li kien hemm il-korruzzjoni f-dan il-progett.

Mr charles vella

Jun 21st 2011, 14:29

many see it, we just decide to remain silent... Our country is becoming more beatiful everyday...! At least our taxes are being used to have a beatiful modern country for my kids to grow up and live in! ...heh, milux smajt 'tigne point m'ghandiex bzonnu ahna zaghar wisq ghal dan l'infieq' ...mela sewwa meta ma kellniex kienu jighdu 'ara malta vera m'ghanda xejn' u ghax issa ghanda, XORTA JGERGRU!!??? maaaa x niess!!

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