Work on the Marsamxett lift is progressing well and is now at an advanced stage. The project will benefit both residents and the thousands of tourists who visit this part of Valletta, particularly those who use the ferry service from Sliema.
During a site visit by the Minister for the Environment Miriam Dalli, and the Minister for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, together with representatives of the Valletta Local Council including Mayor Olaf McKay and the team from the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation (GHRC), it was explained that the works have advanced efficiently. All complementary works required both within the Mandraġġ area and in the lower section where the ferry service between Sliema and Marsamxett operates have been completed.
Minister Miriam Dalli said that the project aims to substantially improve accessibility in the area. She stated that access is being made easier and more attractive so that people can travel directly up and down to Marsamxett. She described it as another project currently underway in the area, noting that constructing a lift within the bastion walls involved a certain level of complexity, but the intention was to provide better and more appealing access for both residents and tourists.
Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi stated that, through investment from European funds as part of a regeneration project in the Marsamxett area, the lift will significantly reduce the difficulty currently faced by members of the public who must climb the steep incline. He explained that this intervention will not only improve accessibility and the daily experience of the public but will also safeguard the historical value of the site, while creating a new space that combines mobility, cultural heritage, and quality of life. He emphasised that the lift will give the public the opportunity to make use of alternative modes of transport to and from Valletta, while at the same time appreciating the unique historical layers that make this area so special for Malta and its visitors.
Chief Executive Officer Gino Cauchi explained the technical challenges involved in the project. He said it presented challenges both from an engineering perspective and due to the nature of the works required. He explained that the lift was not placed on the outer side of the fortifications, which meant that excavation had to be carried out directly into the bastion walls. Mr Cauchi added that the works required meticulous, careful manual intervention, and at the same time a concrete structure was built within the bastion to create the lift shaft. This is providing modern and safe access while safeguarding the historical heritage of Valletta’s fortifications.
Photos: MEEC_MFI
