The construction of Phase 1A of Smart City Malta has been a learning curve for local contractor VINCE BORG. He talks to Simonne Pace about the infrastructure works and sustainability of the project.

Infrastructural works at Smart City are progressing and Phase 1A of the project is to be officially inaugurated this month.

This includes the 870-metre stretch of road from Smart City Malta’s main gate to the first building (SCM01), all the underground infrastructural works, a 6,000 square metre car park and landscaping.

A joint venture of three local contractors – called the ‘3 Bees’ – have been awarded the tenders for this first phase of the project, which includes the site-wide grading works, infrastructural works and landscaping and road works.

Vince Borg, one of the directors of 3 Bees, told The Sunday Times that by integrating foreign expertise with local talent he has learnt a lot from this job and that works were completed in a relatively short time.

Planned for durability and business continuity, meticulous attention has been given to the township’s infrastructure in order to cater for the needs of future ­tenants, business operators and knowledge workers.

“The final product is the building, but the infrastructure will need to cater for the needs of future workers at Smart City Malta and for certain operations within the building,” Mr Borg said.

A compound area was set up on site for workers before ­the start of works. This consisted of a canteen, facilities for workers, site offices, a telecommunications system, electricity, potable water and an area for servicing machinery.

“Machinery is checked regularly for leakages and other faults. Workers need to be aware of their health and safety, especially on such a big site,” Mr Borg explained.

Transforming the site from terrain to the final stages required a lot of earth moving. “Right after that, we started placing the infrastructural services.”

This included service culverts and the storm water, potable water and second class water systems, which are all underground.

“Sustainability measures, such as controlling dust emissions and contamination levels in the air, were taken into consideration and implemented throughout the construction of the project,” Mr Borg pointed out.

Prior to excavation, which started in January, all workers carrying out external works took an induction course in health and safety. Excavation is also being carried out to an extent that all material on site is being recycled.

“We sieve the material, crush it and then backfill those parts which need to be filled, using the material we have. Nothing goes to waste; nothing is sent to the landfill; nothing is thrown away.”

Good quality material is reserved and stockpiled for future works, such as the promenade and curbs. A huge amount of agricultural soil, which was unearthed while clearing the site, is being used for landscaping purposes.

“The policy is not to throw anything away other than domestic waste.”

A culvert, which is 1.8 metres high and 1.5 metres wide, stretching from the main entrance to the far end of Smart City – “the biggest so far” – has been constructed to cater for underground services. Around 4,000 linear metres of ductile iron pipes were laid in the culvert together with high and low-voltage cables and the IT system.

Links to every location in Smart City can be found on both sides of the culvert for services, including the mains for water supply for ­irrigation as well as for the second-class water network.

“All that needs to be done is link future buildings to the main supply because the services are already there. If the need arises, we will branch out further. The tree is ready; only its branches are left. Future buildings will require more branches.”

Hydrodynamic separators also ensure discharged water is clean, so that it can be reused or thrown out to sea.A 90-centimetre layer of hard-wearing recycled material is being used to build the road. Three layers of asphalt will also be laid, using foreign aggregate to ensure maximum stability. The plan is not to excavate for many years to come.

“Every location is unique. Malta has its own way of doing things. The best way is to merge both types of knowledge – how it’s done in Malta together with the best way to do it. It has been adaptive and the results speak for themselves.”