Steelwork of new breakwater bridge arrives in Malta
The single-span steel bridge from Fort St Elmo to the breakwater arm in Grand Harbour arrived on a ship from Spain this afternoon and will be put in place in the coming days, weather permitting, the Infrastructure Ministry said.
The steel structure was brought to Malta on board the MV Storman Asia. The structure is 70 metres long and weighs 190 tons.
The project was unveiled in 2009, when Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said it was projected to cost €2.8 million.
The new bridge will replace the two-span bridge which was partly demolished in an Italian attack in 1941 and subsequently removed.
Although the government's original plan was to rebuild 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 facilit
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Charles Vella
Sep 27th 2011, 15:10
Good to see my country develop into a first world country... I am not reffering only to this bridge, but to the miles of new roads which are being done, joining the newely built ones, beautiful land scapes and up to date public gardens and places to go to, up to standard infrustructure, clean air with the removal of those old yellow busess etc etc... What I can say is that a when Labour wins the next election (God forbid as it will be a great loss if that happens to ALL Maltese because they have no agenda) they will have pretty much of the job done already... Quite a difference then the Libya-Arab like Malta the Labour left after it's down-fall in 1987!
ray alamango
Sep 27th 2011, 13:27
I wonder who is going to take care for its maintenance once it is in place; it’s a much more difficult job to do, then to perform similar maintenance on the bridge which takes you from Hamrun to Qormi. The steel structure of this bridge have never been painted,since the first time it was build years ago, and it is all rusted. The breakwater bridge want last long if the same lack of maintenance persist. We all know that this bridge is going to be exposed to sea water which deteriorates steel in few years time, with all the money invested down the drain.
Andrew Alamango
Oct 6th 2011, 15:21
waste of time and money ray.. but ministers decide what to do with it.
J Farrugia
Sep 27th 2011, 10:00
Can someone clarify, Once the bridge is built can the public access the breakwater a simple YES or NO pls.
If it's a no then what the hell is the point ???
Joseph Ellul
Sep 27th 2011, 09:40
I am looking forward to visit my homeland again and take a ride on the Upper Barrakka lift and have a walk on the Grand Harbour bridge where my father walked before the war. I see Malta from the outside and it continues to shine, whilst some locals do not appreciate what is being done.
j brincat
Sep 27th 2011, 08:54
The bridge that leads to nowhere financed out of taxpayers' money so that there is one more ribbon to cut before the next election!
(jb)
Joseph Ellul
Sep 27th 2011, 09:42
grumble...grumble....
Alex Falzon
Sep 27th 2011, 08:04
The bridge will give a better look to our grandharbour... it is irrelevant who is funding what....
GINO ZAMMIT
Sep 27th 2011, 06:32
FLUS FIL HELA..............
Joseph Ellul
Sep 27th 2011, 09:44
Il flus ma'jsaffrux.
Philip Bonello
Sep 27th 2011, 00:04
Half Malta wanted the government to rebuilt the old opera house, possibly on the same Barry design. Instead we're getting a Piano concoction. The government rebuilt the old bridge connecting St Elmo to the breakwater. And now they're saying that it's a waste of tax payer money. Hypocrites.
Chris J Vassallo
Sep 26th 2011, 23:35
This must be the mother of non -strategic projects that adds negligible value to our economy.
At a time when this country is sinking in record debts, EU funds should be used on projects that yield maximum multiplier to the economy and not sunk into frivolous projects such as this. Is this rocket science?
Joseph Ellul
Sep 27th 2011, 09:46
No it is not rocket science but the tide is so strong that Malta had to do what the big boys do, or get clobbered. So, enjoy the view and eat bread with the smell of sardines!!!
I Bugeja
Sep 28th 2011, 16:02
Chris don't ask questions which answers will be understood by yourself and only a few others!! Just paint sidewalks white, plant some turf and place shiny objects on our road... that should keep the small minds busy!
Victor Vella
Sep 26th 2011, 23:07
Can some of you please stop opposing everything the goeverment does or says?The goverment is chosen by the people and acts for the peoplem whether you like it or not.
Mr Dylan Olliver
Sep 26th 2011, 22:10
Well done. Glad we are upgrading our lovely country. Keep it up and don't take any notice of all the negative comments. They are just sour grapes.
Mr Anthony Azzopardi
Sep 26th 2011, 21:31
i am glad it is being replaced. I would however suggest that it be opened to the public as it used to be before the war
Godfrey Camilleri
Sep 26th 2011, 21:16
If the Italians destroyed it, they should pay for it.
I fully agree that it be re-installed; to leave the breakwater as it is, with just that broken pillar in the middle of a gap, is quite poor.
Having a stroll to the breakwater lantern in calm weather should be quite be quite exhilarating.
Mr Joseph Sammut
Sep 26th 2011, 20:04
Money that could have been put to much more better use.
Mr C Cassar
Sep 26th 2011, 20:15
No it wouldn't since 85% came from the EU. That means 85% would not have come to Malta had it not gone ahead.
Charles Sammut
Sep 26th 2011, 22:14
Financed by the EU my foot. And where do you think gets its funds? We pay taxes, a good percentage of them is passed on to the EU and after the fat cats in Brussels take their cut, some of it is returned to us with a thousand strings attached.
Would have been put to better use filling some potholes in our crumbling roads.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 26th 2011, 22:45
Mr Cassar, can you indicate where we can verify that, please? I have not been able to find any reference to it anywhere.
Thank you.
Anthony Grech
Sep 26th 2011, 23:18
After all these years the goverment is doinf something usefull.
R. Gauci
Sep 27th 2011, 00:56
Exactly as Alfred Sant used to say, we send money to Brussels then they post some of it back and tell us where and how to spend it. When will they tell us to give some money to Maltese families, especially the middle class, who are supporting everybody while they live in almost misery paying loans and taxes.
Mr Charles Falzon
Sep 27th 2011, 08:34
They broke it - they should have fixed it at 100% together with the disasters the axis left behind, including the Opera House.
Ray Gatt
Sep 27th 2011, 10:13
The 85% of the expense that is coming from the EU can't be spent on anything else except the bridge. Pity a lot of you don't see the value of this momument, as it is a monument and part of our history. But then, maybe all the ones complaining would not mind having a party on the Triton fountain as they did in the socialist/communist era and damaging it. Is that not a waste of our funds? Hypocrites!!!
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 27th 2011, 14:41
@ Mr Ray Gatt.
Can you produce some indication where I can verify that 85% of the money is provided by the EU? I cannot trace that anywhere.
Anthony Dimech
Sep 26th 2011, 19:48
The next one should be between Malta and Gozo
Anthony Grech
Sep 26th 2011, 23:17
That will never happen. You people are afraid to do something good.
Mr V Mercieca
Sep 26th 2011, 19:24
I don’t know why they squandered all those funds on a bridge that leads to a “no trespass” zone.
Remember the singers who were filmed there for their promotion to the Eurovision song contest? They were arrested as they were breaking the law standing on the break water.
Veru pajjiz tal-Micky Mouse
Mr Angus Black
Sep 26th 2011, 19:46
Il-veru kumment li anqas il-Mickey Mouse ma kien jaghmel.
Int xi wiehed minn dawk li jghidu, "Heqq ma konniex ghaddejjin minghajru"?
Ghalhekk bil-mod biex Malta timxi l-quddiem, minhabba nies li jahsbuha bhalek.
Nahseb li l-gvern kellu f'mohhu l-Eurovision u niex jevita li l-kantanti taghha jkollhom fejn jisfnu minghajr ma jiksru l-ligi.
Mr Charles Falzon
Sep 27th 2011, 08:40
Good morning Mr Angus - As your surname implies you're living in darkness - we have more important projects to improve social conditions than a bridge leading to nowhere except danger for some over-adventurous cranky, whose quantities seem to be multiplying.
Mr Paul Caruana
Sep 26th 2011, 18:18
Admittedly, it is difficult to make a point for this bridge. Then again, if it is being mostly financed from EU funds, why not - if everybody else in the EU is intent on wasting European taxpayer's money on trivial pursuits, then we might as well join the bandwagon!
Stefan Zammit
Sep 26th 2011, 18:14
The point put forward regarding the bridge is so pointless? Tenders were made and if any Maltese company put theirs forward they lost it. I can't see any reason why whoever was responsible would not pick a local company if they were deemed cost-effective.
Tony Borg
Sep 27th 2011, 08:03
The Gov could nor choose a local company otherwise they will be called by the EU heads as being biased against the foreigners. They have to choose a percentage of foreign companies for these large contracts so that the is returned to whom they choose, practically.
Mr G Mangion
Sep 26th 2011, 17:57
Sewwa Jejdu li hawn nies go Darhom iriduh Sabih, u QUDDIEM IL - BIEB ANQAS BIS JIKINSUH !!
G. Mangion.
1
Mario Borg
Sep 26th 2011, 17:53
Why wasn't this produced locally? I'm sure we have companies with the resources to do it
Mr Angus Black
Sep 26th 2011, 19:39
It wasn't produced locally because:
1. Either no Maltese company was not interested or not suitably equipped, or.
2. They submitted a bid and lost probably because of costs'
Certainly no Maltese company was discouraged to bid. That would have been against EU rules.
Anthony Busuttil
Sep 26th 2011, 17:51
It is really stupid and waste of money to built a bridge after 70 years leading to no where.But the worst is going to be different from the original. We are not even capable to copy a scatch and produce a bridge.Just waste of money.
Alistair Busuttil
Sep 27th 2011, 02:21
kieku qed nghidu ghal valletta waterfront huwa progett li irrenda bhala ezempju,imma dan il-bridge ftit jidher li jista joffri,ma ninsewx li qieghed go post kemmxejn imwarrab
Mr Charles Falzon
Sep 27th 2011, 08:46
Mr Busuttil - il fatt li hu mwarrab huwa forsi l-iskop ta' kollox. Din issa tiggustifika xi nefqa ta' xi ghaxar miljuni biex nirrendu l-pont accessibbli ghal xi erba' pampaluni jiddakkru quddiem il cameras ghar-ritratti matul il-ftuh ufficjali u xi tifkira l'hemm u l'hawn . Ma nahsibx (forsi zbaljat) li minhabba l'periklu u s-sigurezza dan ser ikun miftuh ghal pubbliku. Fil-hela nirrenjaw!
Joseph Baldacchino
Sep 26th 2011, 17:32
Can someone please point out to me the added value of this project.
Michael Pule
Sep 26th 2011, 17:37
perhaps tourism Mr Baldacchino!!! And what about us, fellow Maltese citizens? Are we entitled to enjoy the breakwater as it used to be before the war?
Mr Victor Laiviera
Sep 26th 2011, 23:11
Enjoy it in what way, Mr Pule? The breakwater is, and always has been, off-limits to unauthorised persons as it is a very dangerous place if the weather is not perfect.
Carmel Cilia
Sep 27th 2011, 06:11
It is just a question of priority mrPule. Min ghandu il-bzaar ha jroxxu imma min hu mimli dejn kif qeghdin ahna u ghanda deficit li issa bilfors irridu nirrangaw nahseb li ma kienx lok dawn l-affarijiet. Wara kollox konna hbieb tant mat-Taljani dawn 14 il miljun lira fis-sena lil tal labour kellhom ituhom lilna ta patria u mare nostrum, lilna li kien hemm maltin prezenti(il-bandiera maltija tidher fir ritratti) fi Pjazza Venezja meta Mussolina (our big brother) habbar il gwerra u baghat mil-ghada ajruplani biex ikissruna, lilna ma tawna xejn dawn in nies hlief jippruvaw ibellughna l-immigranti. Quo Vadis.
Edgar Azzopardi
Sep 26th 2011, 17:24
.... and where exaclty will this bridge lead to?
What exaclty will it generate for Valletta? for the shop owners? for the restaurant owners ? for business in general?
Who paid it ? ( stupid question..it's you and me ofcourse!)
Was it necessary given the huge deficit this country has?
Squandering of public funds at its best and finest!! -- The expertese of the Gonzi government.
Mr John J Borg
Sep 26th 2011, 17:44
its road to nowhere.....like the song by talking heads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWtCittJyr0
only that this one ....by empty heads
Ian Bugeja
Sep 26th 2011, 19:08
Are you serious? If you are then the plants and flowers in the roundabouts are useless .. likewise the restoration of our monuments, bastions and historic buildings..... come on!
!
C. Spiteri
Sep 26th 2011, 19:21
Number 1 - this is being paid through EU structural funds - through the tourism axis
Number 2 - these projects are evaluated by an evaluation committee that is independent from Government
Number 3 - the project has to be approved by the EU and has to fall within the parameters of the Axis
Number 4 - the funds from this axis cannot be spent in another axis - thus cannot be transferred on to education or work
Number 5 - stop commenting if you have no idea about Eu funds or tourism projects - most of the tourism projects actually lead nowhere but give tourism an opportunity to se areas that are not usually seen and are unique for Malta - this is what tourists want!
mario grech
Sep 26th 2011, 19:28
Probably a cafeteria/wine bar is in the pipeline, at the far end of it!
Tony Aquilina
Sep 26th 2011, 17:21
since it was partly demolished by an Italian attack , Itally should have paid for it :P
A. Tabone
Sep 26th 2011, 17:19
Much like the racist brigade, the knights of economic nationalism and autarky will be upon us soon. Roll on Fabbriki tal-Kappar and Chinese shoes...
Lawrence Zammit
Sep 26th 2011, 17:05
Good to note that on a national prestige project such as this we are generating work for the Spaniards!
I am sure that not a single Maltese company had the competencies and commercial capacity to build such a steel masterpiece.
Andre Cilia
Sep 26th 2011, 17:19
They could have competed on the tender I guess....
Stephen Spiteri
Sep 26th 2011, 17:20
@ Lawrence Zammit - your comment is puerile on two counts - national prestige when the money is leaving the country to end up in foreign pockets ? Are you serious ? And generating work for the Spaniards !!
No single Maltese company had the competencies and commercial capacity ? - You are really wrong here. We had Maltese companies (albeit foreign but based in Malta, employing Maltese workers) such as Motherwell Bridge building the Freeport cranes - much more complex that a 190 ton bridge. Tridx thallina !!
tony abela
Sep 26th 2011, 17:39
You may be right once the present government dismantled the Shipyards. They used to built ships. A simple bridge as that shown in the picture even private industry could build in Malta.
Your comments are an insult to Structure engineers and workers
It proves that you have no technical experience.
Lawrence Zammit
Sep 26th 2011, 18:19
Hi authors of most of the below comments, have you ever heard of ironical statements?