Design
which contribute to the major part of lack of road safety
and of illegal attitudes on the road. “These proposals will
obviously involve an increased presence of traffic police
on our roads, as well as a revision of the speed cameras
system, an increase in roadside checks and on-the-spot
checks of vehicles, and fines where and as necessary” he
added.
BUILDING SOLUTIONS
Moving onto more tangible infrastructural proposals,
the Minister explained that nearly 40 per cent of the
Kappara project has now been concluded. The main
aim of this project is to reduce traffic congestion in the
area, reduce incidents through better infrastructure
and improve accessibility between Kappara and G ż ira.
It is calculated that 90,000 vehicles pass through the
area daily.
“Works on this € 26 million project are almost at the half-
way stage, and the project is set to be completed with-
in the set time-frame by the end of this year” added Mr
Mizzi, clearly indicating that deadlines will be met. And
pointing out too that it was also on budget, this despite
discovering some defects during the course of works in
the Wied G ħ ollieqa bridge area, close to the National
Pool, which obviously needed repair and wh ich have been
incorporated into the Kappara project.
Mr Mizzi pointed out that apart from alleviating the
traffic bottleneck in the area, the project would provide
better accessibility to pedestrians crossing from Kappara
to G ż ira by means of an underpass. Moreover, for the
first time ever, sound barriers would be installed to limit
noise pollution to neighbouring residents.
VALLETTA 2018 TARGET
Turning to other infrastructural development projects in
the pipeline – and with the Valletta 2018 events looming
well on the horizon – the Minister explained that de-
spite many years of neglect the restoration of the iconic
Triton Fountain outside Valletta’s main entrance was re-
cently awarded to a joint venture as a direct contract to be
finalised in just 11 months, even though the project was
originally meant to take two years. This contract was signed
in mid-January 2017 and assigned to Sea Fountain One.
DESIGN&BUILD
At peak times, 30,000 people are commuting
between Valletta or Floriana and elsewhere.
“Excluding unforeseen circumstances, both parties are
confident that the restoration shall be completed prior to
January 2018,” said Minister Mizzi. This project has always
been high on the government’s agenda, he added, explain-
ing further that it involved technically complex negotia-
tions as well.
“The Triton Fountain restoration has been in the offing
for six years” explained the Minister. It forms part of a
larger embellishment project comprising the City Gate
Ditch, the pedestrianisation of the old bus terminus and
the area around the RAF memorial known as Il-Biskuttin.
Works have started on these areas but the fountain is yet to
be touched. It is to be noted, he added, that the restora-
tion would be proceeding “in tandem” with other works
that require to be finalised in time for when Valletta will be
hosting a series of events in connection with its European
Capital of Culture status.
Q1, 2017
39