Addu highway, link road redevelopment inaugurated

The redevelopment of the Addu Link Road was inaugurated yesterday. The Link Road was initially constructed 22 years ago to connect several islands of Addu with a modern road structure. Addu 

The project was inaugurated at a ceremony held last night in Hithadhoo during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's ongoing visit to Addu. 

The project was handed over to Road Development Corporation (RDC). 

The project was inaugurated by Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib, RDC Managing Director Ibrahim Nazeem, and ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MPs for Addu's connected islands. 

The Link Road redevelopment project, including connected roads and drainage systems, was handed over to RDC on April 8 under a design and build arrangement. 

The Construction Ministry has previously said that the project, which will cost MVR 829.8 million from the State budget, is to be completed within 3 years and 9 months. 

Development of the Link Road, connecting the islands of Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, MaradhooFeydhoo, Feydhoo and Gan, began in 2001, under the administration of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The project was completed in 2003. 

The project was then funded under a USD 7.9 million loan taken by the government from Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB). 

The project was undertaken by Hojgaard & Schultz, a consortium formed by two companies from Denmark and Lebanon. The 12.5km Link Road was planned and designed by John Smart, a renowned New Zealand civil architect.

Once a key convenience for Addu City residents, the Link Road has seen little development and maintenance and is now in a state of severe disrepair.