
Sunday, December 16, 2012 by Patrick Cooke
Lift on at Barrakka



The new Barrakka lift linking Grand Harbour with the centre of Valletta was inaugurated by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on the 15th December 2012. The lift can carry up to 800 people per hour, with its two cabins carrying up to 21 passengers each. The travel time is about 30 seconds and this makes it one of the fastest lift travels in Malta. Works began on the 58-metre-high concrete structure surrounded by aluminium screen in the second half of last year. The project also includes the refurbishment of the entrance area near Lascaris Wharf. The lift also connects the centre of Valletta with the Three Cities thanks to the new ferry service.
The works on the Barrakka Lift Project were carried out by a Joint venture including the Polidano Group, Mekanika Limited and J’s Dimech Combined Industries on a design and build contract with the Engineering designs being carried out by IAS as regards the structural and Camilleri and Cuschieri Consulting Engineers for the MEP services.
Camilleri and Cuschieri Consulting Engineers were responsible for the design and supervision of all of the MEP works associated with the project including the Electrical, Mechanical and Plant for the Lifts as well as for the refurbishment of the Lascaris Ditch. The project includes two of the fastest lifts installed in Malta as well as a special lighting system for the lift tower that changes colour with the wind speed and sea water temperature. All of the other lighting is carried out with high efficiency LED lighting and high tech fluorescent lighting.

Posted on Tuesday, 08 January 2013