The restoration of the Wignacourt Aqueduct is expected to be completed three months ahead of schedule, said Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit during a visit to the site yesterday.

Mr Zammit was overseeing the final part of the restoration of the aqueduct in Santa Venera. He said the project, which began in May last year, was done in collaboration with the four local councils of Santa Venera, Birkirkara, Balzan and Attard.

Mr Zammit said Maltacom and Enemalta had removed poles as well as cables that were in the direct vicinity or attached to the aqueduct itself. In addition, foreign bodies such as nails, pipes, and wood were removed, as were weeds and other vegetation. He also said the stone was cleaned, without removing the natural layer of protection which builds up over the years. The work to the 361 arches varied, depending on whether or not the particular area was in contact with arterial roads.

Mr Zammit said various Oleander trees were removed since the roots were causing damage to the structure.

He also pointed out that the four local councils had paid for the raw materials used in the restoration of the aqueduct.

“The total investment was of Lm140,000 and Lm70,000 of this was for workers’ pays,” said Mr Zammit. He also said that decorative lighting and paving shall be installed.

Since work on the aqueduct was ahead of schedule, the same workers from the Restoration Section could begin to upgrade the garden and to restore the traditional gardjola at Hastings Gardens in Valletta.

Restoration of the Cwerra chapel in Siggiewi was also pressing ahead and another project for the restoration of St James Chapel in Luqa had also commenced.

Mr Zammit said the emphasis on efficiency was beginning to show results since projects scheduled for 2004 were all completed on time. He appealed to other local councils, encouraging local councils to invest their funds in partnership projects with the government.