Updated: Valletta gets a lift
The new Barrakka lift was inaugurated by the prime minister this evening.
The ceremony was held in Lascaris ditch, which was floodlit in different colours.
The whole lift structure was lit up when the lift is inaugurated by Dr Gonzi, who was accompanied by Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt. Dr Gonzi said the event was a source of pride as it marked another project which gave dignity to the Capital. He pointed out how this project would benefit tourism and business in the city.
The lift is the second landmark structure in Valletta to be inaugurated within a few months, the other being the breakwater bridge.
The €2.5m project was carried out by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation within the Infrastructure Ministry. The ministry is also overseeing the City Gate project.
Work on the 58-metre high lift started in the second half of last year.
The lift can carry a total of 800 people per hour, each of its two cabins taking up to 21 passengers.
The lift is formed of a concrete structure covered by an aluminium mesh.
It has been built on the same site as the lift which operated between 1905 and 1973. That lift carried 12 passengers in each of two cabins.
It was dismantled in 1983.
A wooden direction sign from the old lift has survived and was ceremonially unveiled this evening. It reads: The Barrakka lift, the quickest way into the city.
The lift door at the Upper Barrakka.
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74 Comments
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C. Borg
Dec 16th 2012, 13:29
We need a lift, to reach the European standards!!!! I am not saying that this is not a good idea, but first things should come first!!!
Giov DeMartino
Dec 16th 2012, 11:14
Gonzipn has burdened us with an other problem. A serious problem. He built a lift!
Mark Vella Bardon
Dec 16th 2012, 08:51
Certainly a long awaited lifeline for efficient transfer of tourist liner trade to the capital.
mario gellel
Dec 16th 2012, 08:32
SMAJT LI KIEN HEMM GENERATOR STAND BY. BIEX F'KAZ LI JINQATA ID-DAWL, GONZI U AGOSTINO MA JEHLUX FIH BHAL MA WAHLU MAS SIGGU TAL POTER. VERA DIN ??????
P Bonnici
Dec 16th 2012, 12:23
Jahasra int! How narrow minded.
Let's see what Labour has up their sleeves to surprise us. It will be heaven on earth for all, despite the biting global recession.
Giov DeMartino
Dec 17th 2012, 12:39
Verissma. Meta tela' fil-Gvern il-PN kien sab generator f'kull rahal, u bowser ta' l-ilma f'kull distrett halli darba f'gimgha, bit-time table, inkunu bla dawl u kwazi kuljum bla ilma. Regghu qalghuhom dawk il-generators
G Tonna
Dec 16th 2012, 06:30
Another state of the art project from a Nationalist Government. Well done to our leaders and another big thanks to the EU for making so many projects possible.
Malta has continued to witness an unprecedented investment era with a momentum never witnessed before in its history.
Pippo de Marco
Dec 16th 2012, 08:44
Does it have a roof ?
Silvio Farrugia
Dec 16th 2012, 05:53
For PL everything is lussu...flowers on roadsides and roundabouts are lussu,fixed bridge after 60 years lussu anyway we are expected to live only on bread and cheese.They talk about up grading the tourist product.If they are elected all that beautify the country will stop ( so they can pay for electricity ) A sad country ( communist style ) like in the 70's and 80's .
David Dalli
Dec 16th 2012, 02:09
WELL,WELL.WELL OR HO, HO,HO!!!! A lift today, a theatre yesterday, and a power station. What else are we going to open up before the election (OOOPPPSSS) or should I say for Christmas......
E. Mifsud
Dec 16th 2012, 02:03
Ghalhekk tal-PL riedu l-elezzjoni kmieni biex, jekk jitilghu fil-gvern, jinawguraw in-numru kbir ta' progetti li ghamel dan il-gvern. B'hekk in-nies jahsbu li ghamluhom huma. Grazzi PN.
twanny borg
Dec 16th 2012, 00:18
Austin gatt ghamel affarijiet tajba ghal belt. Belti huwa.
B. Farrugia
Dec 15th 2012, 23:42
Another well deserved prosit.
Joseph Fenech
Dec 15th 2012, 23:40
Partit li kemm ilu fil - Gvern irnexxielu jbiddel lil Malta minn stat Medjevali ghal wiehed modern, l - ghira ta' pajjizi ohra Ewropej.
Anthony Paul Naudi
Dec 15th 2012, 22:47
Prosit u grazzi.
APNaudi
Alfred Grech
Dec 15th 2012, 22:16
On behalf of my knees, thanks for providing this much needed lift.
ALBINO ELLUL
Dec 16th 2012, 04:32
another succsess story
Philip Bonello
Dec 15th 2012, 22:15
I hope they light up the lift structure just like they light up the Eiffel Tower. It would be a sight. especially from across the harbour.
Alex Ellul
Dec 15th 2012, 22:03
Malta had gotten a lift along these past 25 years. The PN gave us a ladder by which we may rise if we choose to, and I just hope that politics are not a game of snakes and ladders. I just hope that it's ladders all the way up, no down, such as the 70's and eighties were.
f. zammit
Dec 15th 2012, 21:07
Min qallek li ma qeridx pajjiz gonzi!
Alex Ellul
Dec 15th 2012, 22:00
x'qered? Ghidilna x'qered hekk joghgbok. Hlief teqirdu (tgergru) ma tafux.
Mr Joe Cardona
Dec 15th 2012, 22:31
Staqsi lil dawk li qed jahdmu Smart City jew mal-kumpanija tal-Brazil. Hallina habib. Staqsi lil dawk is-7,000 u aktar li qed jirregistraw ghax-xoghol, jew dawk li jahdmu bil-paga minima u se jibdew ihallsu it-taxxa, jew lil dawk li jixtru xi kilindru tal-gass li f;dawn l-ahhar hames snin ta' Gonzi Pn ghola aktar minn erba darbiet jew ma tmur tixtri petrol li ghola b'aktar minn 45 ewro centezmi u
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 15th 2012, 23:39
Joe Cardona you live in a bubble! I suggest you stay in there for as long as possible....you are to weak to take what the real world is all about.
Michael Grech
Dec 16th 2012, 07:25
@Joe Cordina. Staqsi wkoll lil dawk li minkejja li jahdmu, saru jghixu biex jahdmu u mhux jahdmu biex jghixu
Mr Stephen Borg
Dec 16th 2012, 08:16
But for Alex Ellul as long as we have the lift he is happy. Maybe for him having a lift is more important then waiting two hours on a bus stop for an Arrival bus to show up or to wait indefinitelly at Materdei. For Alex it is first things first and the lift comes first!!!!!!!
Victor Pulis
Dec 15th 2012, 20:59
While the projact is a useful and long overdue one the aluminium structure jars with the bastions. it was planned to blend with the stone. it seems. we did not learn from the mistake made at fort St. Angelo across the water.
Victor Pulis
Dec 15th 2012, 20:59
While the projact is a useful and long overdue one the aluminium structure jars with the bastions. it was planned to blend with the stone. it seems. we did not learn from the mistake made at fort St. Angelo across the water.
Victor Pulis
Dec 15th 2012, 20:53
Wasn't it supposed to blend with the bastions? The bastions are not made of aluminium!
Alex Ellul
Dec 15th 2012, 21:55
no. Learn some architectural basics please.
Victor Pulis
Dec 16th 2012, 10:28
@Alex Ellul
no what?!!
Kelsey Huntley
Dec 15th 2012, 20:52
I suppose there will be a two tier fare to use this? One for Tourists such as I and a cheaper amount for ID holders a la ARMS and Arriva?
Paul Galea
Dec 15th 2012, 20:43
Imissu inqata dawl waqt li kienu telghin meta kienu qeghdin fin-nofs.
Mario Borg
Dec 16th 2012, 06:58
It should be obvious to the engineers who designed it that it would include a generator which kicks in automatically if the power goes out otherwise in the heat of the summer it could be a disaster of major proportions for Malta.
Kurt Magro
Dec 15th 2012, 20:08
WOW EEE ! weldone to all...
Giov DeMartino
Dec 15th 2012, 20:06
Mintoff qered il-lift u l-pajjiz
Gonzi bena l-lift.....u l-pajjiz.
Mr Stephen Borg
Dec 15th 2012, 21:58
Bil-lift ma nimlewx zaqqna.
Alex Ellul
Dec 15th 2012, 22:05
stephen borg, biex timla zaqqek trid tmur tahdem u bl-ghawg kollu li hawn fl-ewropa u fid dinja, xoghol issib zgur jekk trid tahdem, ghax hlief barranin jahdmu kull fejn tmur ma tarax.
John Farrugia
Dec 16th 2012, 08:47
to alex ellul imma bil kemm euro fis siegha?
Mr Stephen Borg
Dec 16th 2012, 09:40
The problem is that the wages have remained staggered while the cost of living has skyrocketed upwards under this administration. People do not really care about new lifts or parliments but on the contrary to what you think people care about their living. This is the downfall of PN because they care about cosmetics and ignore substance.
Giov DeMartino
Dec 16th 2012, 10:32
@ John Farrugia.
@ John Farrugia. Il-lift se jkun b'xejn. Anzi tithallas talli tuzah.
@ Stephen Borg. Have a look around you, have a look around yourself even though I do not know you, and tell us what you think about our standard of living. We have never had it so good, Mr Borg especially when we all know what is happening in other greater and richer countries
Anthony Borg
Dec 15th 2012, 20:03
Whoever made it happen, let us really appreciate a good work when done properly.
Forget the meskin political leanings - the rebuilding of the Barrakka Lift deserves a round of applause.
Well done!
Anthony Borg
(formerly of our beloved City, Valletta)
C Cassar
Dec 15th 2012, 19:57
Let's hope that those who use it don't abuse it and ruin it.
George Cutajar
Dec 15th 2012, 19:45
At the rate these beautiful projects are coming on line if elected, JM will have no ribbons to cut !!!!
Noel Abela
Dec 15th 2012, 20:07
Dan progett BOMBA George nispera li xi gimgha ohra ma ninawgurax xi parti ohra tieghu.
Philip Grech
Dec 15th 2012, 20:32
But bills to pay YES
Alex Ellul
Dec 15th 2012, 21:58
He can always cut his teeth in governing, so to speak, if elected at all. The manner and rate at which PL gaffs are being produced.......
Joanne Micallef
Dec 15th 2012, 19:40
Thumbs up for this project
effie stafrace
Dec 15th 2012, 19:07
are the taxi and horse cab drivers happy with this lift.
Joseph N. Attard
Dec 15th 2012, 19:57
@effie stafrace: The horsemen were not happy when someone invented the motor car. What a silly and shallow and obviously partisan comment!
R. Saliba
Dec 15th 2012, 20:20
typical mintoffian thinking..
Victor Pulis
Dec 15th 2012, 20:54
They'll have to compete with it now which means cheaper rides and hopefully a well deserved rest for the horses.
S. Camilleri
Dec 15th 2012, 21:48
@effie. What a silly, shallow and parochial comment. I suggest you sell your car and start taking a cab from now on. That way you can contribute to these poor people's income. After all there's no harm in putting your money where your mouth is !!
Mr Michael Galea
Dec 15th 2012, 22:18
@ Joseph N. Attard, R.Saliba,Victor Pulis & S.Camilleri.
Take off your blue sunglasses for once. Who knows how you would like it if something was created to take over your jobs ! How very insensitive people. Horse cab and taxi drivers have families too!
M Attard
Dec 16th 2012, 07:24
@Michael Galea: Mela tridx innehhu l-ingenji kollha li hemm fil-fabbriki u nibdew nahdmu kollox bl-idejn halli nzidu x-xoghol?! U leeeeeeee
Karl Consiglio
Dec 15th 2012, 18:58
WOW!! Nice!
Gonzi delivers!!
Mr Leon Zawadzki
Dec 15th 2012, 19:08
After 39 years, I suppose better late than never and before you blogger say it, yes I did use the old one on quite a few occasions.
R. Cilia
Dec 15th 2012, 18:57
Anyone knows how much it costs to use this lift?
GL Calleja
Dec 15th 2012, 19:29
First of all the magic question :
Are you a Native of Malta or are you a tourist?
Are you over 62 or as we call ourselves a Senior? (Anzjan)? Please present ID card.
Same questions asked by the Arriva drivers.
Are politicians and their families entitled to a FREEBIE ride.
Joe Scerri
Dec 15th 2012, 19:59
You can always walk it.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Dec 15th 2012, 18:52
Malta inbidlet mil lejl ghan nar. Prosit li kul min kellu x'jaqsam ma dan il progett, u grazzi ukoll lill Gvern presenti. Much more to come till election time and the swing in polls will become a round about as Eddy Privitera mentioned some time ago.
Philip Grech
Dec 15th 2012, 20:35
Tiehu pjacir tara l-ghasafar itiru kjemm ila li nqatghet il;-kacca u l-insib. Mhux ghax certu nies bil-mira medjokri li ghandhom ikkontribwew ghall-qirda.
George Cutajar
Dec 15th 2012, 18:51
I am sure that the Valletta Business Community will appreciate this project and realise who truly has their interests at heart not just by paying lip service and promising everything to everyone but by tamgible projects whichbwill definitely, excuse the pun, give a lift to our capital city.
Joseph Micallef
Dec 15th 2012, 18:43
Nice... nfaħħar u nbierek il-proġett, iżda xorta mhux se nivvutalek GonziPN :-)
Karl Consiglio
Dec 15th 2012, 19:02
There is no logic in your sentence, do you think PL would realise such projects? Like this lift for example, forget it! PL are misers!
W. Cassar
Dec 15th 2012, 19:06
If they are misers they will probably tax you less!
Ethelbert Schembri
Dec 15th 2012, 18:41
Concrete structure covered by an aluminium mesh.. it really fits with the surrounding architecture.
Very well thought!
James Vella
Dec 15th 2012, 19:07
With what do you think a structure like that has to be built of. Paper?
Philip Mizzi
Dec 15th 2012, 19:27
What did you expect a lift like is made of!?? Stone?!!
Jew IMBASTA IMMAQDRU?
Victor Pulis
Dec 15th 2012, 20:56
It was supposed to blend with the bastions at least in colour. Those were the plans.
Alfred Spiteri
Dec 15th 2012, 18:41
At Last thank you PM for the New Lift
Mr Stephen Borg
Dec 15th 2012, 19:18
You can thank yourself for the lift because you and me paid for it and not the PM.
Philip Grech
Dec 15th 2012, 20:37
mion jaf kemm gietu lil PM? Mhux ahna hallasna!
Mario Tabone
Dec 15th 2012, 18:39
Well done.......this will be such a bonus for tourism. It will pay for itself in no time at all.
Harry Cameron
Dec 17th 2012, 15:34
Well said Mario Tabone. I'm sure the lift will pay for itself very quickly & will become an iconic example of a modern system which can be copied worldwide. Well done Malta .
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