Housing minister Dr Mohamed Muizzu said out of the three Chinese companies that bid for the project, a contractor has been selected. But the company will be revealed later, minister said. Building a bridge between capital Male and the airport island of Hulhule, effectively connecting Male to its satellite suburb of Hulhumale which is now accessible via ferry boats, is a key electoral pledge of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. Deputy housing minister who is currently in China told Haveeru that the winning bid for the project is worth USD200 million. "Earlier we estimated it to be around USD250-300 million. But now its much less than we expected. It means the initial payment for the loan would also be far less," he said. The Malé-Hulhulé bridge (The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge): Length – 1.39 kilometres Length, including roads at both ends – 2 kilometres approx. Breadth – 20.3 metres No. of lanes for four-wheeled drives – 2 No. of lanes for motorcycles – 2 No. of lanes for bicycles – 1 No. of lanes for pedestrians – 1 According to Muizzu the agreement between the Chinese government has also been signed on Friday. China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group, CCCC Second Harbour Engineering Company, and Road and Bridge Construction had bid for the project. The contract awarding ceremony will be held in Male in two weeks, Muizzu added. Chinese government has offered assistance to Maldives to construct and also operate the bridge. Beijing would also provide one third of construction cost as free aid. The project is estimated to be around USD300 million. The bridge is to be built from the Tsunami Monument in Male to the southern end of the airport’s runway.