18/May/2018 at 15:21 Press Release 18 May 2018 - Removal of the grounded vessel will commence on Monday    The operation to remove the grounded vessel Hephaestus from Qawra will commence on Monday, following the approval of the wreck-removal-plan and the granting of the environmental permit.  The work is expected to take around thirty five days.   The P&I Club as insurers had, on behalf of the owners of the vessel, issued a call for quotations to several potential contractors, to commission the removal. Local contractors Cassar Ship Repair (CSR) were awarded the contract.  CSR have started mobilising equipment and are undergoing the final preparations, before major works begin on Monday. The plan is to first mobilise and undergo a further in-depth risk assessment.  The contractor will then render the vessel safe for personnel to enter inside. Once inside, personnel will clean all the compartments and close off all the breaches in the hull.  With the help of specialised equipment, CSR will lift the vessel from the rocks and lower it back into the water. Once afloat, the wreck will be towed to the contractor’s ship repair facility in Marsa.  Transport Malta and ERA will be monitoring the operation throughout.     The vessel Hephaestus, a 60-metre tanker registered in Togo, had grounded in Qawra, during a storm on the 10th of February.  The crew returned to shore safely after abandoning the cargo-less vessel.   Transport Malta appeals to the general public to observe no entry restrictions in the area so as not to impede the works and in the interest of safety.               Read more

03/May/2018 at 16:26 Vat refund for cars registered in 2007 €4.8 million to be given back to 6,500 applicants through the VAT Refund Scheme. Cars registered in 2007 are eligible. Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg and Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna launched a scheme which will continue implementing another electoral pledge. Minister Borg said this occasion was not only meant to communicate that public debt burden is getting smaller but so that for another consecutive year, the government could launch another scheme which gives money back to the people – the VAT Refund Scheme on vehicles. This year, thanks to this scheme, the government will give back €4.8 million to 6,500 applicants – the greatest amount ever given through the scheme. Owners who registered their vehicles between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2007 will be benefitting this year. The scheme means that the government gives a refund equivalent to the amount of VAT paid on registration tax upon the purchase of the vehicle after subtracting the amount of €110 (vehicles) or €55 (motorbikes) which were already given in 2014 when this scheme was announced for the first time by the same government. The money will be given in one payment via a cheque which will be sent to the address provided on the application. The application form will be sent to all eligible individuals in May. The public must confirm and return the application to the address named on the form by the end of May. The government has already given back a total of €13.9 million between 2014 and 2017. “I reiterate my commitment to continue working together with my colleagues in the cabinet so that future generations can have the best quality of life and I am absolutely determined to continue implementing this through continuous work and maintained momentum”, concluded Minister Ian Borg. Minister Scicluna emphasised that the government did not only have a plan to strengthen public finances but also to give back to the Maltese and Gozitan people. He said that due to this commitment, up to last year, around 26,000 individuals were paid back almost €14.5 million. “Today we are announcing the payment for those individuals who had bought their vehicle during 2007. There will be a payment of around €5 million throughout this year. This means that only those individuals who had bought their vehicles in 2008 will remain. In this way, another government pledge will have been implemented in its entirety”, concluded Minister Scicluna. For more information eligible applicants are invited to call on the Freephone 8007 2373 from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 15:00 or send an email on grantscheme.tm@transport.gov.mt. Read more

27/Apr/2018 at 14:29 Press Release 28 April 2018 - Tender for Valletta Terminus Canopy   Transport Malta published a tender for the construction of a canopy, at the recently extended Valletta Bus Terminus, to shelter bus passengers from the elements.   The canopy will be constructed on both sides of the ditch, covering all boarding bays, while the minimalist design will ensure the least visual impact on the historic bastions.  The canopy will also have minimalist lighting to complement the surroundings while providing adequate illumination for the safety of commuters.  Transport Malta made sure that the design of the structure protected the trees in the ditch, the canopy will be built around them so no tree will be removed or transplanted elsewhere.     The canopy will have a design serviceable life of fifty years and is designed to European standards, to withstand wind speeds of up to 37 metres per second.  A roof of glass reinforced plastic with UV resistant coating will cover the steel structure, ensuring passengers are protected both from direct sunlight and rain showers.     The canopy will be completely reversible, thus if the plans for the ditch change in the future, the canopy would be dismantled without causing any damage.  Transport Malta cooperated with the Planning Authority and Era to make sure there is minimum visual and environmental impact.     Read more

13/Apr/2018 at 16:10 Press Release 13 April 2018 - Completion of Triq l-Ewwel Titjira 1915 upgrade works   The upgrading of part of Triq l-Ewwel Titjira 1915, including the Kirkop tunnels, will be ready on Saturday after the final layer of asphalt of the new road surface is applied tonight.      During the last few days, these works were carried at night only, to avoid disrupting traffic flows along this major route to and from Żurrieq, Mqabba, Safi, Kirkop and Qrendi.   Tonight, between 20:00hrs and 05:00hrs, the last layer of asphalt will be applied to complete the resurfacing works.  In this regard, the same traffic management plan adopted during the last few days will remain in place until tomorrow morning. The road will remain open in both directions even whilst the road works are underway.   Drivers and other road users travelling in this area should follow the temporary lane diversion signs and the temporary reduced speed limits, as well as the instructions of the traffic management officials on site.  During the last few days, contractors removedthe existing road surface, between the roundabout next to the airport and the Kirkop tunnels, and replaced itwith the base layers of asphalt. The topmost layer of asphalt will be applied tonight.     Triq l-Ewwel Titjira 1915, forms part of the main road link towards Żurrieq, Mqabba, Safi, Kirkop and Qrendi.  These resurfacing works are another phase in the ongoing project to improve the quality and safety of one of the main links between the central part of Malta, in Ħamrun and Qormi, towards this southern part of the Island, which includes several localities as well as strategic sites such as the Malta International Airport. During the last few months, the Authority has redesigned and optimised several roundabouts along this route, developed additional lanes and resurfaced many of the roads used by thousands of commuters travelling in this direction. At the moment, contractors are also rebuilding the roundabout next to the St Vincent de Paule Residence, before commencing the rebuilding of the road connected to it. This arterial Road, Triq Hal Luqa, will be redesigned to be widened with additional lanes.  Transport Malta would like to thank the public for its cooperation in its ongoing effort to improve the quality of the Maltese road network.       Map Link http://bit.ly/2HlB2GG Read more

26/Mar/2018 at 16:13 Press Release 26 March 2018 - Road resurfacing in Vjal l-Indipendenza Mosta     Transport Malta will be resurfacing Vjal L-Indipendenza Mosta as from this evening until Wednesday 28 March 2018, between 20:00hrs and 05:00hrs.   Works will be carried out in phases.Personnel will scarify the road to remove the old surfaceand  then apply layers of asphalt. The road will not be accessible to traffic and public transport during works.    Traffic coming from Ħal Lija will be diverted onto Triq Pantar and Triq id-Durumblat whilst traffic from Imġarr will pass through Mosta Square.   Transport Malta encourages drivers to seek alternative routes and to follow instructions by officials on site. The Authority urges drivers to drive carefully for their safety and the safety of the workers on site.     END   Read more

20/Mar/2018 at 13:00 Press Release 20 March 2018 - University tunnel reopens tomorrow The University Tunnel, a route for the sports complex and Imsida, will reopen tomorrow morning.   For the past weeks, the tunnel was not accessible because of ongoing works. Transport Malta chose to rebuild the University Tunnel, during the works for the Kappara Project.  The tunnel was not part of the project however the Authority opted to rebuild it to avoid that Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli is dug up for future maintenance of the tunnel.     Transport Malta built a wider and safer tunnel which is better suited for today’s University needs.  The tunnel was completed with the works for the Kappara Project.  The University of Malta then asked Transport Malta to also widen the road that leads to the tunnel.  Thus, the Authority started widening this road immediately.   The works are now completed.  The students, and those who visit the University, can start using the new road and tunnel to go from University towards Imsida and the other way round, from tomorrow. Read more