Sinamalé Bridge

china maldives friendship Bridge
The bridge after completion in September 2018
Coordinates 4°10′24″N 73°31′28″E / 4.1733°N 73.5245°E / 4.1733; 73.5245Coordinates: 4°10′24″N 73°31′28″E / 4.1733°N 73.5245°E / 4.1733; 73.5245
Carries Motor vehicles
Crosses links hulhulhe male and hulhumale
Locale maldives
Official name sina male bridge
Characteristics
Total length 2.1 km
Width 20.3 m
History
Designer Unknown
Constructed by China Harbour Engineering
Construction end 30 August 2018
Opened 22 september 2018

The Sinamalé Bridge links the islands of Malé and Hulhulé and the Maldives. The 2.1 km long bridge will have two car lanes and separate lanes for bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians,[1] and opened on 30 August 2018. It was originally called the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge due to funding received from the Chinese government.[2] [3][4] It is the first inter-island bridge in the Maldives.[5]

The idea of a bridge between the two islands of Malé and Hulhulé was mooted by an Indian company earlier entrusted with the expansion of the airport. But due to a diplomatic wrangling between India and the Maldives, the Indian firm lost the expansion project for the airport, and work for the construction of the bridge went to the Chinese.[6] On 20 December 2011 the cabinet had decided to proceed with the construction of a bridge between Male’ and Hulhule, under the Male’ decongestion plans, to provide affordable housing for the people, and resolve other social issues.

Overseas experts, who have done a preliminary survey since the mid-2011, note the viability of the project. The experts have estimated a total cost between 70 to 100 Million US Dollars, for the project.

It is estimated the bridge would cost US$210 million, of which US$126 million will be paid by the Chinese government as a grant in aid.[7] China Harbour Engineering (CHEC) is the main contractor and had been praised for the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge in Malaysia.[8]

References

  1. ↑ http://maldivesindependent.com/business/china-maldives-friendship-bridge-project-launched-121081
  2. ↑ http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1044977.shtml
  3. ↑ ""A new metropolis links up"". The Business Report. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  4. ↑ ""Sina-Male' Bridge: No tolls until September 23"". Maldives Times. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  5. ↑ Macan-Markar, Marwaan (September 20, 2018). "Maldivians head to presidential election in China's shadow". Nikkei Asian Review. The most visible is the Chinese-Maldives Friendship Bridge, the first cross-sea link in the country and built with aid from Beijing is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.
  6. ↑ https://theprint.in/security/indias-loss-in-the-maldives-is-chinas-gain-and-it-is-showing/119602/
  7. ↑ Housing Minister Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has on Tuesday revealed that approximately USD 210 million will be spent on the Male’-Hulhule bridge
  8. ↑ Witnessed by the President of China and the President of Maldives, CHEC Signed the MOU for Maldives Comprehensive Infrastructure Project CHEC
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