Initially this did not take place due to the significant costs involved, but eventually the lift was demolished between June and August 1983.[18] Demolition was carried out by the General Construction and Engineering Company, which had been set up by the government specifically for dismantling the lift. It was planned to use the salvaged steel to rebuild the St Elmo Bridge which had been destroyed in World War II, but this was never done and the steel was abandoned at Corradino.[17]