Workers start concreting first pile foundation for Approach Bridge

Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced on Saturday night that workers have started concreting the first pile foundation for the Approach Bridge of China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, which will connect Male’ and Hulhule’.

Dr. Muizzu made the announcement via his official Twitter account.

Concreting for the first pile foundation construction for Approach Bridge of China-Maldives Friendship Bridge started just a while ago. pic.twitter.com/e8gNICIkh7

— Dr.Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) September 24, 2016

China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is one of the biggest infrastructure development projects being undertaken by the current government, and will connect the capital Male’ with the national airport – Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) – by the time it’s complete in 2018.

Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure has refuted rumors that that the project is lagging behind, insisting that everything was going ahead as scheduled, with workers on duty round the clock.

The bridge will be 1.39 kilometers long and 20 meters wide, with two lanes for four-wheeled vehicles, two lanes for two-lanes for motorbikes, and separate lanes for bicycles and pedestrians.

The entire project will cost USD 300 million – out of which USD 100 million will be covered through non-reimbursable financial aid by the Chinese government, USD 170 million through a bank loan, and USD 30 million by the Maldivian government.