The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has completed Aggregate Base Course (ABC) laying and MC-30 prime coat application on Segment 1 of Ameenee Magu, clearing the way for asphalt paving to begin this week.
The latest milestone follows weeks of reconstruction work on the western section of the major Malé thoroughfare. MTCC had earlier removed the deteriorated asphalt and carried out subgrade and sub-base repairs before progressing to the ABC layer and prime coat.
Asphalt paving is now scheduled to commence this week, taking Segment 1 into one of the final stages of road reconstruction.
Segment 1 covers approximately 270 metres from the Izzudheen Magu junction near the Voice of Maldives building towards the park adjacent to Dharumavantha Hospital. The project also involves modifications to utility layouts and pavement areas around bus stops.
The government awarded the wider repair programme to MTCC on June 15, covering damaged sections of Ameenee Magu, Izzudheen Magu and Boduthakurufaanu Magu. Preliminary works on Ameenee Magu began in late July, while machinery was mobilised and physical repair works on Segment 1 commenced in early August.
The reconstruction follows significant deterioration of parts of Ameenee Magu, particularly its western end, where the asphalt developed potholes, bumps and wave-like deformation. The section carries heavy traffic, including large buses.
The road had previously undergone a major redevelopment under a project awarded to the Road Development Corporation (RDC). That project covered approximately 1.79 kilometres of Ameenee Magu and cost MVR 84.4 million, with the redevelopment completed in January 2024.
However, sections of the newly developed road subsequently deteriorated. Reports citing technical assessments have pointed to deficiencies beneath the asphalt, including insufficient compaction of the underlying sub-base in affected areas, which contributed to movement and damage under heavy traffic.
The current MTCC works therefore go beyond simply filling potholes or applying a new asphalt surface. Crews have reconstructed underlying layers of the affected section before preparing the road for fresh asphalt, with the aim of producing a more durable surface.
Once Segment 1 is paved and reopened, repair works are expected to progress to the next section of Ameenee Magu. MTCC has targeted November for completion of the wider Ameenee Magu repair programme.
