Nugegoda flyover opens on January end

Irangika Range

The flyover bridge under construction at the Nugegoda junction to ease the traffic congestion will be commissioned by end January 2009, Highways and Road Development Minister T.B. Ekanayake told the Daily News.

The Minister said the construction of the flyover bridge at a cost of Rs. 656 million commenced under UK financial assistance.

The flyover bridge is constructed into four lanes. The first two lanes are being constructed under the first phase and the next two lines will be constructed under phase two of the project.

The length of the flyover bridge is 261 metres.

The Marbay and Jhonson Company in UK together with Access Engineering Limited in Sri Lanka are engaged in the construction work while the Road Development Authority plays the monitoring role. The project launched on October 1, 2008, is targeted to minimise the traffic congestion which has badly affected the public, the Minister added.

The flyover bridge will immensely contribute to ease the congested transport system in the area, save time and minimise unwanted fuel burning.

A special traffic plan is now in operation in the area until the construction of the flyover bridge is completed.

"Compensations to the tune of Rs.300 million has been paid to the people who lost their houses due to the construction of the flyover bridge," the Minister said.