Survey work begins for rebuilding Addu Link Road

Survey work has begun for the reconstruction of the Addu Link Road, which connects four islands in Addu City, after a decision was made to rebuild the road more than two decades after it was first constructed.

The Ministry of Construction awarded the project contract to the Road Development Corporation (RDC) on April 8, 2025. The agreement covers the reconstruction of the Addu Link Road, connecting roads, and the establishment of a drainage system on a design-and-build basis.

An RDC official told Mihaaru News that the project concept was approved on November 30 last year, and the ministry has since granted permission to proceed with implementation. As a result, staff recruitment and site setup activities have already begun.

The official said bund wall works related to the project have been completed, and 15 workers were deployed to Addu on January 31. Land reclamation is also underway to widen sections of the road.

The project is valued at MVR 829.8 million and is funded through the state budget. The construction period is set at three years and nine months.

Scope of the project includes asphalt paving of 67.58 kilometres of CTB roads, installation of a drainage system in Feydhoo, construction of pavements, and installation of road markings and traffic signboards.

The 16-kilometre Addu Link Road, which connects Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Feydhoo and Gan, was originally constructed between 2001 and 2003 during the administration of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The road was built under a USD 7.9 million loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The 12.5-kilometre link road was constructed by Hogard & Schulz Eslebanon, a joint venture between Danish and Lebanese companies, and was planned and designed by New Zealand expert John Smart.

While the link road has long provided significant convenience to residents of the connected islands, it has not undergone major repairs for many years and is now severely deteriorated.