The new €2.8 million steel bridge which is meant to span the gap over the breakwater in Grand Harbour will have to wait a little longer before settling into its new home after its installation had to be cancelled due to unfavourable weather, yesterday.

The operation, which started at 6 a.m., was aborted by the captain of MV Storman Asia shortly after 1.30 p.m. because of strong winds and sea swell.

The 70-metre bridge, which weighs 190 tons, arrived on the Storman Asia from Spain on Monday and will be replacing a two-span bridge which was removed during WWII in 1941 after it was demolished in an Italian attack.

The project was unveiled in 2009 by Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt. It immediately hit controversy after it became known that the structure will really lead nowhere as people would not be able to cross onto the breakwater due to safety risks.

Asked why such a large sum of money was being invested in this infrastructure, the Infrastructure Ministry said the project was “about giving back what the public had before the Second World War, building what we hope will be a landmark for Grand Harbour and also delivering on a pre-election commitment”.

The bridge, the ministry pointed out, was designed as a destination in itself, offering a 360-degree vantage viewpoint all the way to Sliema, while the lighting system at night would be a show on its own.

“We do not exclude opening up the connection to the breakwater and the tunnel within it but this needs further study,” it said.

The government’s original plan was to have a replica of the Victorian bridge but the proposal was not deemed cost-effective.

A simpler design, incorporating a steel arch, a timber deck and an observation area, was drawn up.