Asked whether there would be a choice of projects on offer, the source said that it was a specific proposal that would be submitted for approval on Monday.

The source said that there were also plans to develop the Park and Ride scheme for Cottonera, Dock One at the drydocks and the old Pace Grasso ground in Paola.

The Opera House plan has already been presented to the National Projects Committee and a feasibility study to look into how the project can be funded without negatively affecting the country’s deficit has also been carried out.

The source said that while a project proposed some years ago included the bus terminus and the ditch, this one will initially cover the Opera House site and Freedom Square.

The project will eventually branch out to include the terminus and the ditch, said the source, but work will initially cover only the opera site and the square. He said the reason for this was that the government did not want to over-extend itself.

The ministry is also considering plans for projects at Fort St Elmo in Valletta.