Valletta could be completely interlinked with funicular trains, lifts and escalators, and devoid of traffic turmoil by mid-2008, as the government yesterday unveiled its Vertical Connection project.
Estimated at some Lm1.5 million, the project covers 39,000 m2 and will incorporate different parking areas, which will be linked to the heart of the city via lifts.
Most of the city centre will become pedestrianised.
During a news conference, Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett dismissed scepticism about the feasibility of the project and said there was no reason why the tender to the private sector should not come to fruition.
The plan is to link the lower part of Valletta to the ditch and the centre of the city, making it the first vertical city connection after the Barracca lift service was stopped in 1974.
A funicular service will transport commuters from the Customs House to St James Ditch; it will be capable of carrying 1,000 commuters an hour.
A panoramic lift between St James Ditch and Castille Place will carry another 1,000 people, and an internal lift will link the former Yellow Garage area to Freedom Square.
A parking area (on payment) from Landfront Ditch to the Yellow Garage will cater for around 400 cars.
The existing ditch, passages and historical surroundings will be embellished and Lascaris Ditch will be transformed into a plaza.
To avoid any delays, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has already drawn up a brief and guidelines, and approved an outside development permit, Mr Mugliett explained.
The minister emphasised that business and trade is set to benefit from better connections as commuters may move from one side of the city to the other in no time.
Though the Park and Ride system has been deemed a success, the flow of traffic remains too much for Valletta to handle. Though there are just 3,000 parking spaces available, between 30,000 and 35,000 cars pour into Valletta every day.
Mr Mugliett said the project is being offered to the private sector since it could better exploit the commercial aspect of such a project - besides, the government lacked the necessary resources to carry it out.
However, the government will be upgrading the junction between Great Siege Road and Landfront Ditch as well as Lascaris Ditch.
Mr Mugliett said that the proposed 1998 Connections Project was discontinued as planners doubted its visibility and its negative effect on the historical element.
On the other hand, Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier described the Vertical Connection project as an integral part in the regeneration of Valletta and could potentially stimulate business all around.
The tender will be issued this week and the winning bidder may run the project for 15 years.