Work on the new parliament building is expected to start in the next few weeks, since the tender for works on the substructure has been adjudicated, according to a spokesperson for the Infrastructure Ministry.
The tender for the superstructure, on the other hand, is currently under adjudication and the works are expected to start towards the beginning of the third quarter of 2011
Restoration works are also currently underway on the old Opera House ruins, and these are expected to continue throughout 2011.
The Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation is taking all the necessary precautions, to ensure that the least possible inconvenience is caused to the general public and the business community.
These measures include the installation of high quality hoarding to segregate the site from public areas, use of a specialised water canon that sprays water during the demolition works to reduce dust pollution and carting away of debris and construction waste from the tunnel beneath Freedom Square, to minimise the passage of heavy vehicles through the city centre.
The plans for the new entrance into Valletta, the Parliament Building, an open performing and cultural space at the former Opera House site and the rehabilitation of the Ditch below City Gate were approved by Mepa in March this year.
The Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications, through the GHRC immediately started procurement procedures and issued a number of tenders to commence works on site.
High standards were implemented to ensure minimal disruptions, considering the sensitivity of the site. Initial works consisted of ‘site wide enablement works’ which commenced in June.
The installation of high quality hoarding was followed by site investigation boreholes and trial pits in the former Opera House area, and excavation and exploratory works, which revealed the ruins at the lower and basement levels of the Opera House.
These boreholes drilled in the area also gave valuable information to the engineers of the geothermic conditions, with the aim of using green technology for the Parliament Building to reduce the carbon footprint.
Simultaneously other works were being carried out in the Ditch to provide site accommodation including welfare facilities for the workers, site offices and even a wheel wash for heavy vehicles.
These preparatory works were followed by the demolition of the shopping arcades around Freedom Square, towards the end of September. The shops that lie under Pope Pius V Street, which have not yet been demolished, will be demolished during the second quarter of 2011.
All debris and construction waste was carted away from site through a chute installed at Freedom Square leading to the ‘Yellow Garage’ tunnel below and disposed of in landfills via the Ditch, thereby ensuring that heavy vehicles do not pass through the centre of the city.