President opens Kelaniya flyover

Irangika Range

The Kelaniya flyover was opened yesterday by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The flyover is aimed at easing congestion on the Colombo-Kandy road. The project was completed in mere 60 days setting a world record.

Highways and Road Development Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle told the Daily News that the feat represented a new landmark in the highways and roads development sector.

"This construction is a world record since the assembling of the prefabricated flyover was completed within 60 days," he said.

This was the first flyover built under the Government's project to construct 222 bridges countrywide.

The length of the Kelaniya flyover is 325 meters. Under the first phase of the Kelaniya flyover, two lanes have been constructed. The second phase of the project is due to commence next month with the intention of constructing two lanes.

The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 2.1 billion. He said the Kelaniya flyover was built across the Peliyagoda railway crossing on the Colombo-Kandy main road to ease traffic congestion.

The Ministry is planing to commence the construction of second flyover in Panadura on March 31.