Sinamalé Bridge

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

Sinamalé Bridge
An aerial view of the bridge
Coordinates 4°10′24″N 73°31′28″E
CarriesMotor vehicles
CrossesMalé, Hulhulé
LocaleMaldives
Official nameSinamalé Bridge
Maintained byChina Harbour Engineering
Characteristics
DesignCurve bridge
Total length2.1 km
Width20.3 m
History
Constructed byChina Harbour Engineering
Construction end30 August 2018
Opened7 September 2018
Inaugurated30 August 2018

The idea of a bridge between the two islands of Malé and Hulhulé was first raised in 2007[6] and was widely discussed in 2008 following the pledge on constructing a bridge by the then president Maumoon during his presidential campaign.[7][8][9] Mohamed Nasheed, another presidential candidate, and the opposition criticized the idea at first, but later presented a counter pledge to link Malé, Hulhulé Island, Hulhumalé, Villingili, and Gulhifalhu via a bridge.[7]

Nasheed won the following election, and on 20 December 2011, his cabinet decided to proceed with the construction of the bridge between Malé and Hulhule under the Malé decongestion plans "to provide affordable housing for the people, and resolve other social issues", according to an announcement made on a government website.[10] However, the project stalled when Nasheed resigned. It was restarted by president Abdulla Yameen in 2014[11][12] and was officially inaugurated in 2018.[13]

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.[14] China Harbour Engineering (CHEC) is the main contractor and had been praised for the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge in Malaysia.[15]

References
  1. "SinaMalé Bridge/China-Maldives Friendship Bridge Opened to Traffic - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  2. http://maldivesindependent.com/business/china-maldives-friendship-bridge-project-launched-121081
  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. Abdulla, Ahmed Adham (2007). In-depth Technology Needs Assessment on transport sector. Male', Maldives: Ministry of Environment and Energy. p. 40.
  7. "Bore hole drilling begins for Malé–Hulhulé bridge survey". Minivan News – Archive.
  8. Waheed, Abdulla. "A Bridge Too Far?". Abdullah Waheed's Blog.
  9. "Imagine a bridge like the Oresund bridge connecting Male' to Hulhumale'". Dhivehi Observer Maldives News.
  10. "The President's Office - Cabinet gives go-ahead for Male'-Hulhule Bridge". The President's Office. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  11. "President of China concludes State Visit to the Maldives". 16 September 2014.
  12. "Maldives, China eye bridge project for Male airport". 2 December 2014.
  13. Zalif, Zunana (30 August 2018). "President Yameen inaugurates Sinamale Bridge".
  14. Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muizzu has on Tuesday revealed that approximately USD 210 million will be spent on the Male’-Hulhule bridge
  15. 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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