THE GRADUAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT (CBD) FROM A SHABBY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE INTO A MORE ORGANIZED BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL HUB HAS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT 2022.
A number of private major developments have been completed and are now open for business whilst others are soon to be completed and are at a very advanced stage. Strong private sector investment continues to show the belief in the potential of the CBD.
Government, on its part, has also committed to upgrade the area and compliment the private sector investment by a number of major infrastructural interventions. It is noted that the Central Link (Mriehel) Underpass Project is at an advanced stage of completion, whilst the Strom Water Project is in its second phase with current works expected to be completed by the end of January 2023. The upgrade of the junction and the placing of traffic lights at the point of entrance and exit from the by-pass into Triq in- Negozju has greatly facilitated traffic flow in terms of access to and from the CBD.
As promised, the One Stop Shop Online Temporary Permit System has been up and running since May of this year and has contributed in no small way to the smoother functioning of traffic flows in the area, since the CBDF now has full visibility of all temporary activities within the area. It is interesting to note that more than 700 temporary permits have since been issued by the CBDF. The long-awaited Park and Ride pilot project has also been launched in October of this year and data is currently being compiled on usage of the service. Again, I would like to take this opportunity to urge all our members to promote this ‘free of charge’ service with their employees and encourage use of the service.
Other significant projects which will be embarked upon this year and are worthy of mention include the sensor nodes to be installed on street-lamps, which will result in the automatic reporting of faulty lamps and better monitoring of street lighting by an online system. This will contribute to better illumination of the area and efficiency in usage, thus further decreasing the CO2 footprint of the CBD. Another project which we hope to complete this year is the introduction of an electric utility cleaning vehicle and 2 operators which will be going daily around the area to clean the roads and to collect any rubbish which would have been illegally placed. It is also pertinent to note that a number of CCTV cameras are to be placed in 3 strategic areas within the CBDF by the end of April 2023, to assist in the monitoring of illegal dumping and traffic flows.
In the meantime, road and pavement maintenance, the ongoing installation of electric vehicle chargers across the district, daily patrols by our Community Police and other initiatives to upgrade the area, remain the core functions of the CBDF.
I could go on and on, but I believe it is time to wish you all a very Happy Christmas with your loved ones and a very healthy and prosperous New Year whilst again thanking you for all your support. I look forward to working with you all during the course of 2023.
Keith
AS ANNOUNCED THE PARK AND RIDE PILOT PROJECT WAS LAUNCHED ON THE 10TH OF OCTOBER 2022. THIS MUCH AWAITED SERVICE IS BEING RUN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MALTA PUBLIC TRANSPORT FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY (EXCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS) DURING PEAK HOURS, FROM 7AM TO 10AM AND FROM 4 PM TO 7 PM, AT 20MINUTE INTERVALS. THE SERVICE WAS INFORMALLY INAUGURATED BY THE MINISTER FOR THE ECONOMY, EU FUNDS AND LANDS IN A TRIAL RUN AROUND THE DISTRICT TOGETHER WITH THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT FOUNDATION AND THE MALTA PUBLIC TRANSPORT. A NUMBER OF FOUNDERS OF THE CBDF WERE ALSO PRESENT.
As part of the agreement with MPT, data regarding usage is being provided to CBDF on a weekly basis so that this is analysed to evaluate whether the service is to be extended beyond the trial period. Some civil works are currently planned for the parking area near Homemate to be upgraded and re-organized, so that the area can accommodate even more parking spaces, as it is currently being used to capacity. This in turn would enable a number of employers to lease a number of long term parking spaces which are made available to their employees. In this manner, the service would be used more which makes it more sustainable in the longer term.
It is important to note that although the CBDF has invested considerable funds during October to promote the service using a number of banners placed within the CBD as well as an online marketing campaign, this service first and foremost requires a change in mentality of employees within the district. We hope that with time and with the projected parking upgrade mentioned earlier, together with the support of employers, usage will pick up substantially to make this service economically viable.
THE SECOND PHASE OF THE STORM WATER SYSTEM HAS COMMENCED ON THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR AND HAVE NOW BEEN UNDERWAY FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS, WITH TRENCHING AND CIVIL WORKS TAKING PLACE IN A NUMBER OF STREETS WITHIN THE DISTRICT. PHASE 2A, INCLUDES THE AREA FROM TRIQ L-INTORNJATUR CORNER WITH TRIQ IL-BIRRERIJA UP TO AN INCLUDING THE CORNER WITH TRIQ SAN GWAKKIN. A STORM-WATER PIPE WAS PLACED ALONG THIS CONSIDERABLE STRETCH OF LAND, WITH A NUMBER OF WATER CATCHMENTS ALONG THE WAY. PHASE 2B, INCLUDES TRIQ IL-BIRRERIJA AND PART OF TRIQ IL-HADDIEMA. AGAIN, A STORM-WATER TUBE WAS INSTALLED ALONG THE STREETS WITH A NUMBER OF WATER CATCHMENTS ALONG THE WAY. WORKS FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF ASPHALT AND THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE PAVEMENTS FOR BOTH PHASES WILL RESUME ON THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY 2023, AND PAGE 2 ZONE UPDATE WILL BE CONCLUDED BY THE END OF JANUARY 2023. PHASE 2C WILL INCLUDE TRIQ GIOVANNI FELICE WITH WORKS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023.
Measures were taken for a number of interventions to take place during the weekend to cause the least disruption possible and avoid as much as possible full road closures. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to operators and motorists using the area, keeping in mind that this was necessary for the works to be completed. We continue to take all mitigation measures possible by setting up temporary traffic arrangements, enhanced police presence and works scheduled outside normal operating hours when possible.
Each phase was scheduled to be around 6 weeks duration and to-date, the project is according to plan. Target date for all the project phase to be fully completed is by the end of 1st Quarter of next year. The estimated expense of Phase 2 is approximately 1 million euro and will be jointly funded by Infrastructure Malta and the CBDF.
Phase 3, from MFSA area to the Forestals area, is scheduled to take place when the Mriehel Bypass is eventually upgraded. More details will be provided when these are known.
