Barrakka lift to be inaugurated next week

The new Barrakka lift will be inaugurated on Saturday week. The ceremony will be led by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. Mepa gave the go-ahead for the building of the new €2m lift in September 2010, 40 years after the former lift closed down. The project was handled by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation after bids from private companies were found unsatisfactory by the government.  The old Barrakka Lift operated between 1905 and 1970 by the same company which operated the tram. The structure was dismantled in 1983. The new panoramic lift has two cabins that will carry up to 800 passengers an hour from the area of the old Customs House to the Barrakka. The structure is made of concrete covered with aluminium mesh.  December 15 will also see the soft opening of the new Valletta open theatre on the site of the old Opera House. The theatre will be hosting the opening of a programme of activities running up to Christmas. Coincidentally, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech had also mentioned December 15 as the possible hand-over date of the power station extension.