Sinamalé Bridge
Sinamalé Bridge ސިނަމާލެ ފާލަން China-Maldives Friendship Bridge | |
|---|---|
 An aerial view of the bridge | |
| Carries | Motor vehicles and Pedestrians |
| Crosses | Malé, Hulhulé |
| Locale | Maldives |
| Official name | Sinamalé Bridge |
| Maintained by | China Harbour Engineering |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Curve bridge |
| Total length | 1.39 km |
| Width | 20.3 m |
| History | |
| Constructed by | China Harbour Engineering Company |
| Construction end | 30 August 2018 |
| Opened | 7 September 2018 |
| Inaugurated | 30 August 2018 |
The Sinamalé Bridge (Dhivehi: ސިނަމާލެ ފާލަން) links the islands of Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé (through Hulhulé') in the Maldives.[1] The 1.39 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]
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 the time [7]
It was started by president Abdulla Yameen in 2014[10][11] and was officially inaugurated in 2018.[12]
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.[13] China Harbour Engineering (CHEC) is the main contractor and had been praised for the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge in Malaysia.[14]
On 8 January 2022 the Government of Maldives and the China International Development Cooperation signed a letter of exchange to conduct a feasibility study on the management and maintenance of the Sinamalé Bridge.[15]
See also
References
- ^ "SinaMalé Bridge/China-Maldives Friendship Bridge Opened to Traffic - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
- ^ ""China-Maldives Friendship Bridge" project launched". Retrieved 2020-09-30.
- ^ ""A new metropolis links up"". The Business Report. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Sina-Male' Bridge: No tolls until September 23". Maldives Times. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Abdulla, Ahmed Adham (2007). In-depth Technology Needs Assessment on transport sector. Male', Maldives: Ministry of Environment and Energy. p. 40.
- ^ a b "Bore hole drilling begins for Malé–Hulhulé bridge survey". Minivan News – Archive.
- ^ Waheed, Abdulla. "A Bridge Too Far?". Abdullah Waheed's Blog.
- ^ "Imagine a bridge like the Oresund bridge connecting Male' to Hulhumale'". Dhivehi Observer Maldives News.
- ^ "President of China concludes State Visit to the Maldives". 16 September 2014.
- ^ "Maldives, China eye bridge project for Male airport". 2 December 2014.
- ^ Zalif, Zunana (30 August 2018). "President Yameen inaugurates Sinamale Bridge".
- ^ Housing Minister Dr Mohamed Muizzu has on Tuesday revealed that approximately USD 210 million will be spent on the Male’-Hulhule bridge
- ^ Witnessed by the President of China and the President of Maldives, CHEC Signed the MOU for Maldives Comprehensive Infrastructure Project CHEC
- ^ MNN (2022-01-08). "China-Maldives signs 5 agreements- mutual visa exemption to desalination project scheduled". Maldives News Network. Retrieved 2022-01-09.