The wait ends: Male’ and Hulhule’ connected via bridge

The super structure of the USD 300 million (MVR 4.6 billion) China-Maldives Friendship Bridge (CMFB) between Male’ City and Hulhule’ has now been connected.

The CMFB Project began in December 30,2015 with a USD 100 million grant from the government of China and a USD 170 million low interest rate loan from China.

The bridge stretches 2 kilometers and is 20.3 meters wide. The CMFB is able to accommodate up to 12-meter-high vehicles. The Maldivian government reported earlier that the highest point of the bridge will reach 20 meters high at mid-tide.

Construction of the bridge is undertaken by CCCC, a Chinese company.

Speaking at a function held at M. Dhiggaru this Tuesday morning, President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom noted that Male’ City and Hulhule’ has now been connected via a bridge.

He said he has successfully fulfilled an age-old dream the people of Maldives have had, something which his critics alleged he will never be able to accomplish.

“You can now travel to Hulhule’ on the bridge without any difficulty,” said Yameen.

The super structure of the bridge was connected this Tuesday.

At the latest press conference on the progress of the CMFB Project by the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, held last week, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said the project’s work was being carried out ahead of schedule. He said that construction will be completed and the bridge opened before end of July.

Muizzu said the project is contracted to be completed on September 25, but the CCCC has promised to complete the project ahead of schedule.

But that it was CCCC, and not the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure which announced the bridge will be opened on July 26.

He said workers will begin finishing work such as leveling the deck of the bridge with asphalt and installing light fixtures one the super structure is connected.