The new entrance to Valletta and the open theatre on the site of the Royal Opera House will be completed by the end of this year, six months ahead of schedule, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said this morning. The rest of the project - including the new Parliament building, is on schedule for completion next year.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Gatt said the new lift at the Upper Barrakka is also on schedule and will be completed in the autumn.

The new ferries between Cottonera and Valletta will also be operating by that time.

The Opera House site (left) and the new Parliament Building. Photo: www.airphoto.com.mt

In his press conference, held to mark the fourth year of this legislature, Dr Gatt said that all projects being handled by his ministry were on time except the Dock 1 area rehabilitation project, which was delayed because the contractor did not deliver.

Speaking at Xatt L-Ghassara ta l-Gheneb - the road along Valletta Waterfront - he said the rebuilt road would be reopened in two weeks' time.

Garibaldi and Council of Europe Roads in Marsa and Luqa would reopen next month while the Marfa Road and the road from Xewkija to Victoria will be ready in July.

The Mellieha bypass would reopen by the end of the year.

On residential roads, Dr Gatt said 400 would be completed by the end of the year.

The paving project in the heart of Valletta would be completed by August.

Replying to questions, Dr Gatt said Fort St Elmo would be rehabilitated and 80% of its use would be cultural.

SMARTCITY IMPACTED BY THE RECESSION

On SmartCity, he said a number of companies were operating there.

"I would have liked to see a bigger take-up," he said, but he blamed the situation on the recession. The investor, he said, had already invested €62 million and infrastructural works were now in an advanced stage.

ARRIVA

Dr Gatt said that by the end of this month, all the bus fleet, including the recently added buses, would be running on Euro V engines. He said the service had improved considerably and the latest survey showed that 79% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the service.

Dr Gatt said good progress was being made on the building of the Cirkewwa terminal, which would be completed in October.