Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia together with Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Chris Bonett and Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation (GHRC) CEO Gino Cauchi visited the works currently underway in Marsamxett, Valletta.

As part of the regeneration of our capital city, the GHRC, through both local and European funds, will create vertical access via a lift in the Bastion of San Salvatore in Marsamxett. The lift, which is also an electoral measure, will facilitate access to the Marsamxett ferry landing.

Given that the ferry between Sliema and Valletta docks in the lower part of this area, this project will further facilitate access to the site for the employees in both localities and tourists alike. This project will not only improve access but will also reduce the number of vehicles entering the ferry landing area while also boosting the economic aspect of Marsamxett. Last year, there were over 680,000 passengers who made use of this ferry service.

This project will be completed in three different phases. The first phase, which started a few weeks ago, consists of the excavation of the shaft for the elevator itself. Under the constant supervision of archaeologists, this excavation is being carried out entirely by hand. This initial phase is expected to cost €700,000 which are being allocated from European funds.

Concrete belts are being installed to ensure the structural integrity of the bastions. One of the shelters will be used as an access site for the lift. It is planned that this particular technical process will be completed by the last quarter of this year.

The second phase will be the installation of the lift structure itself, while the third phase will be that of the finishings, including work on the area next to the shelters. These two phases will be completed next year. Local funds will be used for both of these phases.

Minister Aaron Farrugia explained that this project will not only give an economic stimulus to this area, since more people will be willing to make use of the service, but it would also make the journey between Valletta and Sliema more accessible.

“This project will further improve on the service presently offered, which in itself is improving mobility between Sliema and our capital city, since one would be making use of alternative modes of transport to travel. Above all, this project will make this service accessible to everyone without any unnecessary inconvenience,” concluded Minister Farrugia.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett said that this project will not only provide accessibility but also complement other interventions that focus on the regeneration of cultural sites and the conservation of historical assets in this particular area of Valletta.

“The lift is part of a project that focuses on the regeneration of the south side of Valletta, with a value of  €24 million. The project is aimed to not only sustainably improve Malta’s development, in particular, the southern side of Valletta, but at the same time it also improves the quality of the services offered to our locals,” said Parliamentary Secretary Bonett.​