The minister told Haveeru on Monday that Chinese authorities have officially notified the Maldives of awarding the project to the best bid. Muthalib assured that the contractor team will arrive in the Maldives soon to commence preparations. “There are documents pending signatures between the two nations. We expect to wrap up all the agreements and have the project underway by mid-December.” A delegation of Chinese authorities is also scheduled to arrive in the Maldives to oversee the work. Muthalib expressed hopes that all aspects of the project will proceed according to schedule. Malé-Hulhulé bridge – a daunting challenge The feasibility study of the bridge had been conducted by a team of experts handpicked across China, which included geotechnical and civil engineers as well as offshore engineers. “Based on the information collected on [feasibility] report, they [experts] concluded that this is an extraordinary task necessitating techniques different from the norm. This is not something that can be handled by all and sundry,” said Muthalib. According to the experts, the strong ocean current that flows between Malé and Hulhulé will pose certain challenges to procedures. Based on the experts’ counsel concerning the challenges facing the project, China’s Ministry of Commerce had shortlisted three companies for the task: final contractor CCCC Second Harbour Engineering Company, China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group, and Road and Bridge Construction. All three firms were technically qualified for the project. However, the Chinese government had ultimately picked the best bid, said Muthalib. CCCC’s bid for the project had shaved off USD 60 million from the estimated project cost of USD 300 million. The firm had bid USD 200 million. “The bidding process was very transparent. We do not believe there were any fraudulent activities,” said the deputy minister. The Male-Hulhule 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 Bridge contractor’s bid – USD 200 million CCCC Second Harbour Engineering Company was the contractor that designed the Male-Hulhule bridge. The company had also secured a contract to resurface the capital’s roads. It had undertaken several projects to construct roads and bridges and various other infrastructural projects. However, the Chinese giant and all its subsidiaries were blacklisted by the World Bank in 2009 for “fraudulent practices under Phase 1 of the Philippines National Roads Improvement and Management Project”, which bars CCCC from participating in any infrastructure projects backed by the World Bank until January 12, 2017. Deputy Minister Muthalib assured that, despite the blacklisting, CCCC’s projects have not compromised quality in the past. The company had undertaken internationally notable projects, such as the highly challenging 35 km long Runyang Yangtze River Highway Bridge, which spans the Yangtze River in China and is the world’s fifth longest suspension bridge. Bridge opening in 2018 Housing ministry refuted former Co-Chair of the Economic Council and former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb’s earlier claims of the bridge opening in 2017, saying he had not discussed the schedule with the ministry and the contractor. MALE, September 7, 2015:- The final design of the Male-Hulhule bridge that would connect the capital Male to the reclaimed suburb of Hulhumale and Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. According to deputy housing minister Muthalib, the project will be concluded within 30 months as agreed with CCCC. “The project must conclude by June 2018. However, China usually wraps up projects two-three months prior to the deadline, so we estimate it may finish early in 2018,” commented Muthalib.