The project to modernize the roads of the connected islands of Addu has been assigned to Road Development Corporation (RDC).

In a special ceremony held today at the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure, Minister Dr. Abdullah Muttalib signed on behalf of the Construction Ministry. Ali Zuhair, Managing Director of RDC, signed on behalf of the company.

The Construction Ministry said that it has been decided to rebuild the Addu Link Road, which was built 22 years ago, and MVR 829.8 million has been allocated from the government budget for this purpose.

The project has been given a duration of three years and nine months to complete. It has been decided to establish the Addu Link Road and its connected roads and drainage system on a design and build basis.

The Construction Ministry said that under this project, 67.58 kilometers of CTB-laid roads will be tarred or paved, a drainage system will be established in Feydhoo, sidewalks will be built, and road signs and street signs will be installed.

The work of building the 16-kilometer Addu Link Road connecting Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Feydhoo, and Gan was first started in 2001 during President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's presidency. The work was completed and the Addu Link Road was opened for use in 2003.

The Addu Link Road was then built under a loan of USD 7.9 million taken by the Maldivian government from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The total 12.5-kilometer Link Road work was done by Hogard & Schulz AS Lebanon, a joint venture between Danish and Lebanese companies. The Link Road was planned and designed by John Smart, believed to be an expert from New Zealand.