Infrastructure Malta, in collaboration with the local council, is working on what will be the first square in Pieta`. €1 million are being invested in the St Luke’s Square project.

Speaking during a visit, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Borg explained that this site, which for many years was abandoned and served as a roundabout will witness a total transformation to finally become useful for the residents of this locality.

“We are aware that this council, like many others, does not have the funds to make such an investment and Infrastructure Malta is therefore helping so the government can deliver a new open green space in a locality that also suffers from congestion and a space with all necessary facilities. The government has also just acquired Villa Gwardamangia with the scope of rehabilitating it and transforming it into a touristic attraction so the St Luke’s square Project will add to overall the rehabilitation of this zone. This is how central government is willing to intervene where additional green spaces and improved spaces are necessary in our country’s localities”, said Minister Borg.

St Luke’s Square will have a new irrigation system for trees and plants, better organised parking, a new bus line to help traffic flow, new equipment and other ancillary facilities such as new sanitary facilities which are accessible to persons with disability, with new pavements apart from works in the surrounding road.

Mayor Keith Tanti explained how the council also used a specific financial model with the inclusion of a small room to be used as a cafeteria with income helping the council to maintain this project.

“The setting up of Infrastructure Malta was very good news for local councils because this agency took on the weight of road building from us. Projects we carried out in previous years did not allow us to continue with works on this area because of financial restrictions the council faces. That is why we asked for the help of the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects and Infrastructure Malta. And because of the help we were given, instead of a roundabout and bus station, an open space of the highest level is being created. Not only did we save all trees, but several other plants will also be planted”, said the mayor.