Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg, Minister for Energy and Water Management Michael Farrugia, and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi announce new infrastructural developments at Chadwick Lakes.
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg, Minister for Energy and Water Management Michael Farrugia and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi announced new infrastructural developments which are nearing the Chadwick Lakes Bridge Reconstruction project to its final stage.
The bridge crossing the Chadwick Lakes watercourse in the Ta’ Slampa area of Rabat is being rebuilt by Infrastructure Malta in order to repair structural damages which have recently necessitated its closure. If the weather permits, Infrastructure Malta is planning to finish this €150,000 upgrade and reopen the bridge by the end of the year.
Minister for Energy and Water Management Michael Farrugia said that, with the progress that has now been reached, we are now entering into the final phase of a project spanning the course of three years. He said that during last Summer, other works related to the project were done, such as the cleaning out of landfills which had over time accumulated in the valley. In fact, in the other slope of the valley, there is now adequate room for greater water storage. Moreover, the plantation of indigenous trees was further carried out and, in the next few weeks, the structural damages of the bridge which connects this valley with the localities of Mtarfa and Rabat will be repaired.
Minister Ian Borg said, “We have always believed that all Maltese and Gozitans deserve the highest quality of life possible. That’s why we are continuously investing in improving such public spaces. We want each and every Maltese and Gozitan to be spoilt for choice when choosing where to spend quality time with their families. As a government, we are committed to improve the quality, efficiency, security and sustainability of our infrastructure in Malta and to also give life to areas that define our natural landscape in order to be appreciated and enjoyed by everyone.”
Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi held that with the investment of €5 million, there will be a holistic regeneration of Wied Qlejjgħa, also known as Chadwick Lakes. “This project will strengthen the natural environment of our country as it will preserve the biodiversity and the conservation of water, whilst creating more open spaces,” explained Parliamentary Secretary Zrinzo Azzopardi. He said that Chadwick Lakes will attract quality tourism, and that therefore this work will be essential to ensure that a place with a rich natural and cultural heritage can be accessible to all.
This crossing consists of a twin-arch masonry built in the late 19th century, when the Chadwick Lakes were formed by the British engineer Sir Osbert Chadwick. In the 1980s, the bridge was widened by laying a separate precast concrete deck on top of its original structure, to facilitate safer access to farmers’ heavy agricultural machinery. Infrastructure Malta is replacing this 1980s bridge deck with a stronger, longer-lasting pre-cast concrete structure.
