Sinamalé Bridge


The Sinamalé Bridge links the islands of Malé, Hulhulé and Hulhumalé in the Maldives. The 1.39 km long bridge has two car lanes and separate lanes for motorcycles, and pedestrians, and opened on 30 August 2018. It was originally called the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge due to funding received from the Chinese government. It is the first inter-island bridge in the Maldives.

History

The vision of connecting the islands of Malé and Hulhulé through a bridge gained significant momentum in 2007 and became a key topic during the 2008 presidential campaign, championed by then-candidate Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. While alternative viewpoints on the project were expressed at the time, the commitment to realizing this crucial infrastructure ultimately prevailed.
Under the leadership of President Abdulla Yameen, the ambitious project officially commenced in 2014 and was inaugurated in 2018,marking a historic milestone for the Maldives. This vital link, the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, stands as the nation's first sea-crossing bridge.
The realization of this landmark project, with a total investment of US$210 million, was made possible through a significant partnership. A generous US$126 million grant from the Chinese government, complemented by a US$68 million concessional loan from the Export-Import Bank of China, provided the essential funding. China Harbour Engineering Company, a contractor with a distinguished track record including the acclaimed Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge in Malaysia,was entrusted with the construction, successfully delivering this complex engineering feat.
The scale of the project and its financing model attracted considerable attention and discussion within the Maldives. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge stands as one of the most significant infrastructure achievements completed during the tenure of President Abdulla Yameen.
President Yameen's administration, which fostered closer ties with China, formally embraced the Belt and Road Initiative in 2014. This strategic partnership facilitated substantial Chinese investment in critical Maldivian infrastructure, with the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge serving as a prime and enduring symbol of this mutually beneficial cooperation.