High-tech bridge for Arugam Bay
Rajmi MANATUNGA
COLOMBO: The Government will open the new Arugam Bay bridge
connecting Pottuvil, Arugam Bay and Panama in the Eastern province, to
the public from tomorrow.
The bridge constructed at a cost of US $ 10 million, will replace the
old bridge over Arugam Bay which was severely damaged in the 2004 Boxing
Day tsunami.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has
provided financial assistance for the construction of the new state-of
-the-art bridge which has been designed and built according to US
technology.
According to the Highways Ministry, the new bridge which runs
parallel to the old one, comprises two spans measuring 185 metres, and
offers user-friendly features like protected pedestrian walkways. The
project launched in August 2006 also includes 900 metres of paved access
roadway and a water supply system for Arugam Bay.
“We hope that the project will be a major boost for the fishing,
agriculture and tourist industries in the areas and thus help the
revival of the economy in the East,” a Ministry spokesman said.
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