Rock fissures and caves at Tigné are no threat to a tower block forming part of the Midi development, according to the structural engineer involved in the design.
Alex Torpiano said allegations made last week by geologist Peter Gatt that the tower block was built on an unstable cliff were “completely unfounded”.
“There is absolutely no danger of collapse,” Prof. Torpiano said, adding that the fissures and caves were well known to engineers and that the building was designed accordingly.
He was reacting to photos that Dr Gatt disseminated on Facebook which were picked up by news portals on Saturday evening, including the Times of Malta.
The photos show the Q2 tower block on the north face of the Tigné peninsula, the latest addition to the project, perched on fissured rocks and a cave. This is the part closest to what is known as Tigné beach.
Designs took into consideration the geology of the area
Dr Gatt said the rock was part of the foundation of the building and warned that if the sea cliff failed there would be nothing holding up the high rise over it.
“Rock failure can damage the foundations or leave them unsupported,” Dr Gatt said, concluding his Facebook post with the words, “geology matters, so do lives”.
But Prof. Torpiano was dismissive of the warning, insisting the building’s foundations were further inland from the sea cliff and at a lower level than the fractured rock.
The Q2 tower is above the entrance to the road tunnel that connects the Qui-si-Sana side of the project with the Sliema Ferries. The tunnel is below ground level.
Prof. Torpiano said the foundations were underneath the tunnel, well below the level of the fissures and cave seen in the photo.
“Peter Gatt is not the only one who knows his geology… the building does not stand on the edge of the cliff and designs took into consideration the geology of the area,” Prof. Torpiano said, adding a rock fracture across the peninsula bypassed the building.
The photos posted on Facebook came on the back of the Planning Authority’s decision last Friday to grant a permit for the construction of a 38-storey tower on the peninsula.
The tower will form part of the Gasan Group’s Townsquare project and will rise in the middle of Tigné, in the space formerly occupied by the Union Club.
Residents and green groups opposed the project, expressing concern over the social, infrastructural and environmental impact it will have on the already congested area.
The permit was narrowly approved with seven votes in favour to six against and residents are expected to appeal the decision.
When built, it will be the tallest building in Malta, almost double the height of the Portomaso Tower in St Julians.
kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com