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Month: June 2015
€39 million EU funds for Addolorata Junction
TRANSPORT MALTA SECURES €39 MILLION NEW EUROPEAN FUNDS FOR MARSA ADDOLORATA JUNCTION UPGRADE
Malta’s application for Phase I of the upgrading of the TEN-T road network at the Marsa junction was among the projects selected by the European Commission to benefit from new European Funds under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The project will be one of only 31 proposals to benefit from the maximum 85% EU co-financing made available to EU cohesion countries. Transport Malta had submitted the application for Phase I of the Project in February 2015. The amount of new additional EU funds for Malta will be around €39 million. The project submitted by Malta was considered to be of top quality and received high marks in all key areas during the evaluation process.
Transport Minister Joe Mizzi expressed his satisfaction regarding the outcome of the 2014 CEF call.
“Yesterday’s announcement by Transport Commissioner Bulc on the EU funding of Phase I of the Marsa TEN-T project is very positive and welcome news for Malta. Over the past year, we have worked tirelessly within the EU, at political and technical levels, to explain and justify the European added value of removing a road traffic bottleneck at southernmost tip of the TEN-T Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor. I would to thank everyone involved in the preparation of the application for their excellent work. A special thanks goes to Pat Cox European Coordinator for the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor, whom I have met a number of times since his visit to Malta in March 2014, and whose vision for a balanced TEN-T development along the Scandinavian-Mediterranean corridor took into full consideration the specific transport needs of a small island state at the periphery of Europe. I would also like to express my gratitude to Commissioner Bulc who was always welcoming when I requested her assistance”.
The TEN-T Marsa project aims at removing a critical road traffic bottleneck on the Scandinavian-Mediterranean TEN-T core network corridor. Malta’s application had clearly demonstrated how the removal of this bottleneck would contribute to EU general policy objectives relating to the internal market, growth, and jobs. It also meets the specific TEN-T policy objectives of promoting efficient and sustainable use of the infrastructure, increasing capacity, and providing improved infrastructure in terms of safety, security, efficiency, climate change, and accessibility.
Transport Malta Chairman and CEO, James Piscopo also expressed his satisfaction at such an achievement, saying: “We had a very good team working on this project. We knew the competition for these limited EU funds under this call was going to be very fierce, so we wanted to make sure a top-notch project was put forward. The feedback we had was excellent and the result is significant. This is another major step forward in our infrastructural investment towards eliminating traffic bottlenecks. The Addolorata Junction will follow another major infrastructure investment Transport Malta is making, after the Kappara Junction project which will commence early next year”.
The outcome of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport Calls for Proposals was announced yesterday by EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc. Over 700 project applications were submitted by EU Member States, however, following a rigorous evaluation process over the last four months, only 276 transport projects were eventually approved for EU funding. This centralised EU funding under CEF is over and above the funding allocated for transport projects in the Operational Programmes (2014-2020) of EU countries.
Transport Malta will also be applying for CEF funding for €30m Phase II of the project in 2017 through an additional call for proposals that will be issued using the unutilised funds from CEF cohesion envelope.
Swimming Safely
Transport Malta sets up 49 Swimmers’ Zones at the most popular bays and swimming areas around the Maltese Islands.
The swimmers’ zones are areas in the water reserved exclusively for swimmers. No vessel can be used within a swimmers’ zone. The swimmer zones are marked by red and yellow marker buoys and will be effective until 30th September. The aim of the zone is swimmer safety.
This year Transport Malta added a new swimmers’ zone at St. Peter’s Pool.
Several bays have access to the beach through launching lanes which will also be marked by floats. Transport Malta reminds mariners that vessels shall only enter through these lanes. No vessel is to be moored inside or close to the entrance of these lanes unless authorised by Transport Malta. Such lanes shall be used solely for embarking and disembarking of passengers and by commercial and water sports vessel operators.
The swimming season is in full swing and Transport Malta encourages all bathers and boat users to respect the swimmers’ zones so that everyone enjoys the sea without accidents.
List of Swimmer Zones
| MALTA | GOZO |
| Gnejna Bay | Qbajjar |
| Ghajn Tuffieha | Marsalforn |
| Golden Bay | Ramla l-Hamra |
| Paradise Bay | San Blas |
| Cirkewwa | Hondoq ir-Rummien |
| Armier Bay | Mgarr ix-Xini |
| Mellieha (Ghadira Bay) | Xlendi |
| Mellieha (It-Tunnara) | |
| Mgiebah | |
| Selmun | COMINO |
| St Paul’s Bay (Tal-Veccja) | Blue Lagoon |
| St Paul’s Bay (Tal-Ghazzelin) | San Niklaw |
| St Paul’s Bay (Il-Fekruna) | Santa Marija |
| St Paul’s Bay (Ix-Xemxija) | |
| Bugibba (Main Square) | |
| Bugibba (Perched Beach) | NEW ZONE |
| Qawra Bay (Fra Ben) | |
| Qawra Bay (below seafront hotels) | Delimara (St. Peter’s Pool) |
| Salina Bay | |
| St Julian’s (St George’s Bay) | |
| St Julian’s (Spinola Cavalieri) | |
| St. Julians (Balluta) | |
| St Julian’s (Spinola) | |
| Tas-Sliema (Exiles) | |
| Tas-Sliema (Fond Ghadir) | |
| Tas-Sliema (Tigne) | |
| Ta’ Xbiex | |
| Marsamxett (Waterpolo Pitch) | |
| Kalkara (Ir-Rinella) | |
| Marsaskala (Iz-Zonqor) | |
| Marsaskala (ex Jerma Hotel) | |
| Marsaskala (St Thomas Bay) | |
| Xrobb l-Ghagin | |
| Delimara (Il-Kalanka) | |
| Marsaxlokk | |
| Qajjenza | |
| Birzebbuga | |
| Birzebbuga (San Gorg) | |
New Marina at Sa Maison
Developer and Operator of the New Marina at Sa Maison Selected
Following the issue of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the concession for the development, operation and management of an all-weather marina at Sa Maison, Transport Malta has selected the proposal submitted by Marina Di Valletta Consortium as being the most advantageous one.
The consortium is made up local and Italian firms with the lead investor being the Italian marina operator Marina di Varazze srl. The planned 274 berth marina will be developed on the standards established by Azimut|Benetti Group (operated and owned by the same owner of Marina di Varazze srl) across their network of marinas. The marina shall be sheltered by the installation of a floating breakwater.
Infrastructural works envisage the construction of a wave-dissipating revetment along the Pieta quay, rendering this marina an all-year berthing facility. The marina is expected to be fully operational within three years. The contract will be signed in the coming days, with works to start when all formalities are in place. No works will be carried out during the current yachting season.
Azimut|Benetti is the World’s largest privately-owned group in the yachting sector and is the market leader in the construction of superyachts. Headquartered in Avigliana – Torino, the group operates five shipyards for the construction of Azimut Yachts and Benetti Yachts in Italy and one in Brazil. Azimut|Benetti operates Lusben Refit & Repair and a network of marinas in Livorno, Varazze, Viareggio, Savona and Moscow and is present in 138 offices across 68 countries.
Resurfacing Triq is-Salini
Resurfacing works in Triq is-Salini c/w Triq il-Kosta
Transport Malta notifies that Triq is-Salini will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday 27th June 2015 between 05:00hrs and 08:00hrs due to resurfacing works.
All vehicular traffic coming from St. Paul’s Bay will be diverted onto Triq ir-Ramla, l-Magħtab.
All vehicular traffic coming down from T’Alla W’Ommu will be diverted onto Triq Burmarrad to St. Paul’s Bay.
Triq Burmarrad Naxxar will be opened to one-way traffic direction to Burmarrad only.
Motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Any inconvenience is regretted.
Event in Mosta
Activity in Mosta organized by the Local Council
Triq il-Kostituzzjoni Mosta will be closed to vehicular traffic on Saturday 27 June 2015 between 19:00hrs and 24:00hrs, due to an activity organized by the Mosta Local Council.
All vehicular traffic coming from Burmarrad will be diverted onto Triq Taż-Żwejt. All vehicular traffic coming from Naxxar will be diverted onto Triq Ewkaristiku.
Public Transport:
Bus routes 31, 41, 42 and 44 will be diverted onto Triq Taż-Żwejt, Triq San Pawl tal-Qliegħa and Triq l-Indipendenza. Same diversions apply for the return journey.
Bus routes 45 and 225 will be diverted onto Triq id-Diviża Ċivili, Triq il-Qalbiena Mostin and Triq Franġisku Pisani. Same diversions apply for the return journey.
Motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Any inconvenience is regretted.
Resurfacing in Triq id-Difiża Ċivili
Maintenance works in Triq id-Difiża Ċivili, Mosta
Transport Malta will be carrying out resurfacing works in Triq id-Difiża Ċivili in Mosta.
The road will be closed on Saturday 27 June 2015 between 06:00hrs and 16:00hrs. Vehicles coming from Triq il-Fortizza tal-Mosta will be diverted onto Triq il-Forti and Triq il-Kostituzzjoni.
Motorists are advised to proceed with caution. Any inconvenience is regretted.
Lejla Maltija in Fgura
Lejla Maltija organised by Fgura Band Club
Fgura Band Club is organizing a Lejla Maltija in Triq Hompesch Fgura.
Triq Hompesch, from the roundabout near Hompesch Gate to Triq is-Sur, will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday 26 June 2015 between 12:00hrs and 01:00hrs.
All vehicular traffic coming from Ħaż-Żabbar will be diverted onto Triq il-Foss or onto Triq l-10 ta’ Settembru. All vehicular traffic coming from Paola will be diverted onto Triq is-Sur.
Public Transport:
Bus routes 91, 92, 93, 94 and 120 coming from Żabbar towards Paola will be diverted onto Triq il-Foss and Vjal il-Kottoner. Same diversion applies for the return journey.
Any inconvenience is regretted.
Fancy a career at sea?
Day of the Seafarer
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrates the Day of the Seafarer every year on the 25th June. This day celebrates the work of those who work in the maritime industry, past and present. This year the IMO’s theme for the day of the seafarer is career at sea. The IMO is exposing the beauty, adventure and satisfaction of such a career.
Transport Malta, together with the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure, organised an event, to remember those who were lost at sea but also to create more visibility of maritime careers for young students. Hon. Minister Joe Mizzi laid a wreath at sea in the Grand Harbour and paid his respects to past seafarers . The entourage onboard a pilot boat then proceeded to Dock 1 where an exhibition was held. The exhibition showed the works of young students with the theme ‘career at sea’.
Ivan Sammut, Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen at Transport Malta emphasised the importance of the maritime industry for the Maltese Islands and the myriad of career opportunities that exist within the maritime industry. Capt. Fritz Farrugia, Deputy Harbour Master at Transport Malta shared a few of his experiences at sea whilst two cadets, who have had a successful five month cadetship with one of the largest shipping companies in the world, also shared their experiences. They showed their resoluteness to continue studying and pursue a seafaring vocation.
Transport Malta, as the Authority in Malta responsible for maritime affairs joined other maritime stakeholders in reaffirming its continued support to the further promotion of maritime careers and the maritime industry in Malta.
Keeping away from jellyfish
First MED-JELLYRISK anti-jellyfish net installed in Maltese waters
Earlier this week, the Physical Oceanography Research Group within the Department of Geosciences, through Prof. Alan Deidun, coordinated the installation of the first MED-JELLYRISK anti-jellyfish net in Maltese bathing waters. Such a net was installed at Pretty Bay in Birzebbuga, enclosing a total sea area of 625m2 and reaching down to a maximum sea depth of 2-2.5m, with the collaboration of the Malta Tourism Authority, Transport Malta, the Birzebbuga local council and Blue Flag Malta. The same net, which has been tailor-made such that it keeps out jellyfish individuals from the cordoned area as well as floating debris and residues, will be monitored regularly for its performance and environmental impact and will be retrieved at the end of the bathing season. Similar nets have been installed through the MED-JELLYRISK project in other popular Mediterranean beaches such as Ibiza, Elba, Barcelona, Lipari, Monastir and Hammamet. The net installed at Birzebbuga will be officially inaugurated by Hon. Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe Mizzi in the coming weeks.
MED-JELLYRISK is a 3-year-long project, funded under the framework of the ENPIC-CBC MED framework, which involves the participation of 5 countries hailing from four countries (Italy, Tunisia, Spain and Malta), including the University of Malta, which is represented by the Physical Oceanography Research Group and by the Department of Biology. Within the same project, a number of other initiatives have been embarked upon, all aimed at improving the coastal management facilities dealing with jellyfish. These include, the development of a smart phone app (MED-JELLY), the organisation of a training school in Barcelona for students pursuing jellyfish and zooplankton studies, the installation of jellyfish research facilities in Tunisia and the printing of different manuals and booklets providing information on the treatment of jellyfish stings and on the taxonomic identification of different jellyfish species occurring within local waters. Such publications are all available for free download from www.jellyrisk.eu/downloads. The local Spot the Jellyfish citizen science campaign (www.ioikids.net/jellyfish) collaborates closely with the MWD-JELLYRISK project for data sharing purposes and to avoid duplication of effort.
Transport Malta News 
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