Bridge maintenance delayed as contract expires; contract renewal planned
Some of the lights installed on the bridge are also not working.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Planning ministry said on Sunday that the maintenance of the Sinamale Bridge, which was handed over to China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), has been delayed due to the expiry of the agreement with the company and efforts are underway to sign a new contract with the Chinese company that developed the bridge.
Parts of the name plate installed atop the bridge starting point in Male have been left unattended for a long time. Some of the lights installed on the bridge are also not working.
State planning minister Akram Kamaluddin told Atoll Times on Sunday that the maintenance work of the bridge will be handed over again to the Chinese company.
Akram said:
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The previous agreement with the company expired at the end of last year
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The Maldivian and Chinese governments are in talks to sign a new agreement
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A new deal will likely be signed in about two months.
Sinamale Bridge
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Initial studies for the bridge connecting Male and Hulhumale began in 2015
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In 2016, foundation work on the bridge began
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The bridge was completed and opened in 2018
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Cost - USD 220 million (MVR 3.4 billion)
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The length of the bridge is 1.39 km and the width is 20.3 metres
