President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced construction of the Male-Thilafushi Bridge will commence this year.
In the presidential address delivered at the parliament today, President Solih said the survey and design stage of the bridge project is already underway, noting the bridge will be constructed to a length of 6.7 kilometres and will have a minimum of two lanes on each side of the bridge. He added the bridge will also be connected to the proposed reclamation area in Gulhifalhu.
The president added local vessels will still be able to travel in the strait between Male’ and Villimale’, despite construction of the bridge. He said the bridge will be constructed with consideration to vessels travelling between Villimale’ and Gulhifalhu as well as Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi.
The administration anticipates a total cost between USD 29.1 million and USD 38.8 million for the bridge project. The final cost will be revealed after detail drawings of the bridge are completed. However, the administration has allocated USD 26.6 million in State Budget 2020 to begin the project. The project to reclaim land from Gulhifalhu is underway, while Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure has submitted the documents to hand over the project of designing the bridge to Arup Limited of Hong Kong.
The bridge to connect Male’, Villimale’, Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi is aimed at facilitating the development of industrial work. The bridge will also provide convenience in transport for citizens living in Villimale’.