HULHULE-MALE’ BRIDGE PROJECT

EIA for the proposed Hulhule-Male’ Bridge Project
12 CONCLUSIONS
The key conclusions of this EIA are summarized below.
− The project involves the construction and operation of a bridge linking Hulhule and
Male’ Island across Gaadhoo Koa atoll pass. This is the first bridge of its kind in the
Maldives. The total length of the proposed bridge is 2 km; the section of the bridge that
covers the overwater area across Gaadhoo Koa channel is 1.39 km. The elevation of the
bridge is 20 m. The bridge landing area on Male’ side is next to the Tsunami Monument
and onto the Boduthakurufaanu Magu. The landing area on Hulhumale’ is on the
southern tip of Hulhule Island.
− The structure is planned and designed to the environmental best practices suitable for
the fragile environment of Maldives and the conditions in Male’. The design uses bored
cast-on-site piles drilled to depths of up to 50 m from the reef pass bed. Pile-group
foundation is proposed for the main piers and the transition piers. There will be 12 or 8
main piers of bored piles with cross-sections ranging between 2.5 – 2.8 m. There will be
6 transition piers of bored piles with a diameter of 1.6 m. The main bridge is a
prestressed concrete six-span continuous rigid frame structure. The main bridge is 760
m long. The approach bridge is pre-stressed concrete I-type beam bridge and is 630 m
long. Land reclamation and shore protection is required at the southern tip of Hulhule
island to facilitate the landing area. Sand for reclamation will be sought from
Gulhifalhu reef.
− The proposed developments are generally in conformance to the laws and regulations of
the Maldives. Additional approvals are required for the following before
commencement of project activities.
o Detailed drawings approval from Ministry of Housing
o Approvals from Ministry of Housing for construction in Male’
o Approvals from City Council for road closure
o Dewatering application and approval before commencement of any
dewatering activities.
o Approvals from Civil Aviation to operate the bridge on the southern end of
Hulhule
− The proposed site for the project is Gaadhoo Koa. On Male’ side, the structure utilises
the gentle reef slope on the SE corner of Male’ to construct the bridge approach. The
main pillars are located at 40 m depth on the channel bottom and the approach for
Hulhule is partially on the Hulhule reef slope. The channel experiences strong tidal flow
and receives strong swells from the SE direction. In particular, the wave conditions on
the SE reef corner of Male’ and on the southern tip of Hulhule Island is particularly
Prepared by: CDE Consulting & China Shipping Environment Technology
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