Jeyaraj: Dedicated strides for road development

Irangika Range

Highways and Road Development Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle was passionately committed to the subject and vigorously pursued development activities in that sphere. His latest project was the rapid construction of flyovers in various parts of the country.

The process started with the Kelaniya flyover which was opened last month 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.

Minister Fernandopulle told the Daily News then 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.

The Highways Ministry has decided to construct 16 new pre-fabricated flyovers in Colombo and suburbs to ease traffic congestion, Minister Fernandopulle said.

The total cost of the project is estimated at sterlingpounds 75 million and will be implemented with British assistance.

Inspecting the construction work at the Peliyagoda flyover, Fernandopulle said these new flyovers will be constructed apart from the four already planned to be constructed in Colombo.

"The construction of these new flyovers will ease heavy traffic congestion in Colombo", the Minister added.

The Minister had discussions with British engineers in charge of the construction of the Peliyagoda flyover, labourers and shop owners living close to the flyover during his inspection tour.

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 construction of the second flyover commenced in Panadura on March 31. Apart from the 16 flyover projects the Government has also embarked on a project to construct 222 bridges countrywide with pounds 50 million financial assistance from the British Government.