Planning Authority approves Triton Fountain Square project

The Planning Authority yesterday approved the Triton Fountain Square project, turning it into a pedestrian area.

The square surrounding the Triton Fountain, outside Valletta’s City Gate, will be pedestrianised. The square will include 10 kiosks and a tourist information booth.

The current centre strip leading up to the Valletta gate, between the MCP car park and the Phoenicia Hotel, will see the right-hand road used for buses leading into the bus terminus, the centre strip kept pedestrianised leading up to the square, which will have rows of indigenous trees on either side, while the left-hand side, near the Phoenicia Hotel, will still be used for cars leading up to the hotel entrance and a drop-off point near the city entrance. A small roundabout will be built closer towards the city entrance where cars and taxis can turn around and head back out of the area

The Triton fountain will also be restored, and indigenous trees will be planted around the square.

Architect Mario Bonello told the Planning Authority Board that currently during peak hours around 150 buses per hour pass through the Valletta terminus. Due to this, buses will unload passengers before heading right down to the terminus. There will be a waiting area for buses, and a parking area.

The project will conclude prior to January 2018.