The Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has decided to demolish the existing causeway to continue the construction of a bridge to connect Madaveli and Hoadehdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.
The planning ministry made the decision after informing the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) that it needed more sand to continue the work as the temporary bed of sand had eroded due to bad weather. As such, the sand required for various purposes in the project is planned to be obtained after the demolition of the previously constructed causeway. Hoadehdhoo Island Council stated that the current road to Hoadehdhoo will be closed off until the project is completed. MTCC is currently working to erect bridge pillars towards Hoadehdhoo.
Madaveli and Hoadedhdhoo are located in the same lagoon and have a population of 3,000. In 2017, a causeway was developed to connect Madaveli and Hoadehdhoo. However, the project was not carried out in an environmentally friendly manner and the causeway was closed off. The causeway was also built across the lagoon without a proper system to circulate water, causing damage to the islands. Therefore, the government formulated a new plan to connect the two islands and handed over the project to MTCC on May 2022. The old causeway will be completely removed and bridges will be built to connect the islands.
The project involves 260m of beach protection, 2,544cbm bridge concrete work, asphalt laid in 4,596sqm of land, and 1,378sqm of pavement. The project also includes the installation of railings and street lights and the installation of road signs.