The Road Development Corporation (RDC) has commenced survey work for the redevelopment of the Addu Link Road.

RDC was awarded the contract to develop the Addu Link Road in April last year. The road connects the islands of Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Feydhoo and Gan, and is the second-longest paved causeway in the Maldives.

The Addu Link Road, which was opened in 2013, has deteriorated significantly over the years despite repeated repair efforts. The road is used round-the-clock by a large portion of Addu’s population, and its poor condition has raised serious safety concerns following several fatal incidents. Addressing the condition of the road has remained a longstanding grievance among Addu residents.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has previously assured that a permanent solution would be provided to address these concerns.

RDC stated that survey work for the link road redevelopment is currently underway and that work has also begun on surveying inner roads in Addu City. The survey phase is expected to be completed by February, after which full-scale construction work will commence.

An RDC official said the Addu City Link Road has not undergone proper maintenance for nearly two decades, noting that the redevelopment project, valued at over MVR 800 million, represents a major infrastructure improvement for Addu City residents.

Under the project, a total of 12.3 kilometres of the Addu Link Road will be reconstructed to modern standards. In addition, asphalt layering will be carried out on 67.58 kilometres of cement-treated base (CTB) roads.

The project has been awarded to RDC at a total cost of MVR 829 million, with a completion period of three years and 11 months. Scope of work includes reconstruction and upgrading of the link road, asphalt layering of CTB roads, construction of sidewalks, installation of a drainage system, road markings and placement of traffic signboards.