“Malta that we will leave to our children will be more modern, brighter and better” – Prime Minister Robert Abela.
Prime Minister Robert Abela, together with the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg and the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, inaugurated the Central Link project with an investment of ‘€ 55 million.
From 2017 onwards, this government has embarked on the largest infrastructure projects in the history of our country and Central Link is a living testimony to this. This project is part of a series of other projects that the government has been working on with a view to building on the good that has already been done while understanding the new priorities that the country has for the future.
Prime Minister Robert Abela said that an economy whose growth rate was among the best, wanted to be supported by an unprecedented infrastructure investment.
“Suffice it to say that we have invested a total of € 140 million in a series of infrastructure projects with which people will reap benefits amounting to € 1.2 billion in time saved, lower costs for businesses and lower emissions. For every euro we invest, the benefits of multiplying many times over, “said the prime minister.
He also referred to two other massive projects that are currently being worked on.
“It’s just a short distance from here where we’re doing one of the biggest open space projects. Parts of it ready, others in an advanced state. What has not been done for many years we are doing today. Just turn around and see even the Crafts Village come to life. Ta ‘Qali will be one of the most beautiful attractions in the country. For the Maltese and for the tourists, we will offer a place of international level. “
The prime minister said that this is a government that has a long way to go. “More work will be completed. We will launch more projects. We will attract more investment. Malta that we will leave to our children will be more modern, brighter and better, ”concluded Dr Abela.
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg said the Central Link project had been on the shelf for 60 years to the detriment of local families.
“Others are afraid to make decisions. No one wanted to shake hands with responsibility. But this government had a vision. We believed in the potential of the project, we listened and changed where it was needed, we took courage, we struggled, we made a decision and from a plan on paper we made it a reality. Today we are reaping the fruits of hard work and this is what everyone is recognizing. We have seen that Central Link is another holistic infrastructure project where we have increased mobility through the longest cycle lane we have ever had in our country with a length of 4.3km. In addition, we have seen that it is a mirror of this government’s vision for the environment and for human health. “
“Central Link will be halving travel time by 66% of air pollution and 41% of emissions of nitrogen dioxide, a gas that is one of the main causes for respiratory diseases. We completed this project with 1,160 new native trees and 13,774 shrubs and other plants. The government is committed to continuing to invest in infrastructure of all kinds so that our country continues to move forward in quality and efficiency, to continue to sustainably meet the needs and aspirations of our country today and in in the future, while continuing to give families in our country a better quality of life, ”concluded Minister Borg.
Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said the Central Link project is being co-financed under two EU-funded programs, € 11 million from the Cohesion Fund and € 4 million. funded by the European Regional Development Fund. He explained that this project will drastically reduce traffic congestion which will result in lower emissions and cleaner air.
Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said that thanks to European funds we will continue to improve traffic management and promote the use of alternative modes of transport that address traffic-related environmental problems, with the ultimate goal of continuing to ensure quality of traffic. a better life for Maltese and Gozitans.
The Chief Executive of Infrastructure Malta, Engineer Fredrick Azzopardi, thanked all the staff and organizations involved in this project for their courage, diligence and cooperation. Infrastructure Malta has cooperated with all stakeholders to maximize the social, environmental and economic benefits of this investment. All the people who worked on this project showed great professionalism as they addressed many challenges to develop a sustainable infrastructure for a better quality of life.
