Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1115758
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 12 MAY 2019 NEWS robertmicallef.eu | robertmicallefeu | contact@robertmicallef.eu | +356 9938 1279 My aim is to be a bridge builder and to use my networks and experience to advance Malta's interests within the European institu- tions. Let's make the Euro- pean Parliament a platform for more social and eco- nomic opportunities for all Maltese and Gozitans. ROBERT MICALLEF Robert Micallef MEP CANDIDATE Your experienced EU Negotiator " " Valletta's bulky arches to be replaced by slender foot bridges JAMES DEBONO THE Great Harbour Regen- eration Corporation is pro- posing the demolition of five existing arched bridges con- necting a Valletta housing estate to Triq San Bastjan, opposite the area known as il-Fossa, in the lower part of Valletta. The bridges, built in the 1970s, will be replaced with new slender footbridges and railings, which blend better with the historical bastions. "This design and choice of material aims to create a bet- ter sense of space, clearly delineating the bastions and building forms," the GHRC said in a description of the project in an application sub- mitted by CEO Gino Cauchi. Residents of the housing es- tate will also benefit from in- creased ventilation and better access to sunlight. Using steel as the main struc- tural element, the GHRC says the bridges' depth will be kept relatively low. This allows the housing entrances to connect seamlessly to the street pave- ment without disturbing the fabric of the bastion. The present arches formed part of the design of a new housing block which includ- ed five pedestrian concrete bridges aimed at facilitat- ing access to Triq San Bast- jan, disturbing the bastion's fabric to make space for the concrete slabs. The bulkiness of these stone arches are con- sidered an accretion to the bastion walls. Moreover, the sense of scale and volume was lost as the street is visually di- vided into segments because of the way the bridges were constructed. The bridges' shallow gradi- ent and sagging have also re- sulted in the accumulation of storm water in the middle of the span. For this reason, makeshift holes were also cored through the slab to al- low for water to drain. This has caused paving and slab damage. Top, and bottom left: Using steel as the main structural element, the GHRC says the bridges' depth will be kept relatively low. This allows the housing entrances to connect seamlessly to the street pavement without disturbing the fabric of the bastion The present arches formed part of the design of a new housing block which included five pedestrian concrete bridges aimed at facilitating access to Triq San Bastjan, disturbing the bastion's fabric