Seven Years On, Sinamalé Bridge Remains in "Terrifically Good" Condition, Says Chinese Ambassador

The Sinamalé Bridge, a key infrastructure link between Malé and Hulhulé, remains in "terrifically good" condition seven years after its opening, according to China's Ambassador to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua. His remarks follow a recent inspection conducted by a team of Chinese engineers.

Widely regarded as one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the Maldives, the Sinamalé Bridge was constructed by China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC) and completed in three years and eleven months, officially opening to traffic on 30 August 2018.

Originally launched under former President Abdulla Yameen, the project saw significant involvement from current President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who, at the time, served as Minister of Housing and played a key role in its construction, both in his ministerial capacity and as a professional engineer. Since its completion, the bridge has remained a focal point of infrastructure development in the Maldives. Its long-term durability was recently assessed by a team of Chinese engineers, who conducted a thorough inspection.

Following years of service, the bridge's structural integrity was evaluated by a team of Chinese engineers. Ambassador Kong, after meeting with the team, shared his assessment in a social media post. He noted that, compared to other bridges of similar age, the Sinamalé Bridge remains in excellent condition. "Good news: according to their thorough inspection, the condition of this beautiful bridge, after seven years in use, is terrifically good!" he stated.

Spanning 1.39 kilometres in length and 20.3 metres in width, the bridge accommodates two lanes for four-wheeled vehicles and two dedicated lanes for motorcycles. With an investment of USD 300 million, the bridge remains a critical asset for the Maldives. The project was funded through a USD 100 million grant from the Chinese government, a USD 170 million loan from China, and USD 30 million contributed by the Maldivian government.

To ensure its continued upkeep, the Maldivian government has announced an agreement under which the Chinese government will provide three years of maintenance work free of charge. Additionally, efforts are underway to train Maldivians in bridge maintenance, with a team of Maldivian engineers participating alongside the Chinese inspection team.

Ambassador Kong expressed optimism about the involvement of young Maldivians in future maintenance efforts. "They [Chinese engineers] told me that there are also some Maldivian youngsters working together with them. I am looking forward to more young Maldivians to grow into qualified engineers and take over the mission of bridge maintenance," he said.

As the bridge continues to serve thousands of commuters daily, its significance extends beyond transportation. It remains a testament to the enduring partnership between the Maldives and China, reinforcing economic and infrastructural collaboration between the two nations.