Work on the Wignacourt Arch replica in Fleur-de-Lys is scheduled to start as soon as a decision on the tender, whichhas been appealed in given.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority gave the green light for the rebuilding of an arch replica in October. The original had been damaged by a Royal Air Force crane 70 years ago..

Resources Minister George Pullicino said that the arch would serve as a monument for Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt who paid for the aqueduct used to carry water from Rabat to Valletta in 1615.

The arch would also honour Bontadino de Bontadini, the Dominican engineer, who built the 15 -kilometre Wignacourt Aqueduct and the 600-strong Maltese workforce working on the project for five years.

The rebuilding of the Fleur-de-Lys arch, he said, would complete the restoration of the aqueduct.

Mr Pullicino said that the government has undertaken 60 projects of restoration in the villages, chapels and 30 projects in Valletta.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said that the building of the replica would cost €280,000, €100,000 of which were being donated by Bank of Valletta. Another €40,000 would be coming from the Good Causes Fund.

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