Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced the commencement of the construction of the road linking the capital Male' City to the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.

He made the announcement via a twitter post, adding that 'part of' the Male' Ring Road - the government's expansion project - will be formed after the road is finished, noting July 26 as the estimated completion date.

Following the start road construction work, a number of roads in the area have been blocked.

Under the construction, the south-eastern side of outlying Boduthakurufaan Magu will be expanded by 16 meters, and will fit four lanes.

While the main road that leads up to the bridge is being widened, it will have two-meter pavements on either side.

Following the road expansion project, over 300 trees have been cut down in the capital city, including decade-old ones near the Artificial Beach area, of which, the staging area has been removed as well.

Although many have been chiding the government's hasty decision to cut down the trees, Minister Muizzu defended the decision, saying that fresh trees will be planted upon the conclusion of the project.