The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett visited the Fort Sant’Anglu bridge project, in Birgu which has now entered the phase where the pedestrian bridge is being installed , the first of two new structures that will be placed in this project.
In a visit to the work site, Minister Bonett, was given information about the project by the CEO of Infrastructure Malta, Ivan Falzon, and the officers responsible for the project.
The pedestrian bridge will give safe accessibility to those who are walking in the area, separately from the vehicles that pass in these areas. After the placement of this bridge, the works will begin on the second structure which will be intended for vehicles and this one is expected to be completed in the coming months.
Minister Chris Bonett explained how this project has two important goals to achieve, to provide a safe pedestrian passage for everyone who wants to access Fort Sant’Anglu and to build a new bridge for vehicle use.
“The Fort of Sant’Anglu together with the rest of the Birgu Waterfront area, is an area that attracts many Maltese, tourists and people who make use of the Marina. In this way we can see that while we give safe access to everyone who visits this site, we do it as quickly as possible and in the least inconvenient way,” said Minister Bonett.
Plans in the Notarial Archive show that the existing bridge was built in the early 1900s. This was made of iron and later surrounded by concrete. Over the years, the bridge has been damaged by excessive use and weakened.
A survey carried out recently on the structure of the bridge showed that there were defects on the building. The temporary solutions were not enough and a decision was taken to make two new bridges, which are safe and give accessibility for different purposes. Infrastructure Malta recognized the historical value of this site and maintained direct contact with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, with this entity being involved from the very beginning of the project and contributing to the design, while it continues monitor the work in progress.
