Colonial bridges in Kandy
Rasika Somarathna
Among these ancient bridges, the most famous were the Mawanella
bridge, Gampola bridge, Peradeniya bridge and the Katugastota bridge.
The last of the old bridges over the Mahaweli Ganga was the
Katugastota bridge built during the times of Governor Henry Ward.
This bridge linked roads coming to Kandy from Kurunegala and Matale.
It also linked the route between the strategic trading harbour at
Trincomalee.
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The old Katugastota bridge built in 1860. ANCL library photo |
Work on Katugastota bridge began on September 1, 1858. J A Caley was
the Chief Engineer. The bridge was of an iron lattice type with three
sections, each of 140ft giving it a total span of 4200ft. After 1 1/2
years, on March 1, 1860 Governor Ward declared open the bridge for
traffic with a dinner dance on the bridge on the previous night to
celebrate the occasion.
However, due to heavy traffic the bridge had to be strengthened in
1905 with intermediate piers. After 30 years a second reconstruction
became necessary which provided for strengthening of the piers but
retained the original decking and carriageway.
Since then this historic structure has undergone many a change in
accordance with the growing traffic needs.
However, the need for further expansion became a necessity as
vehicular traffic kept growing in accordance with the economic boom in
the area.
Thus in accordance with the modern necessities, the construction of a
new bridge was initiated in 2005.
The new bridge which replaced its previous historical structure
yesterday was built at a cost of Rs. 525 million. It comprises four
lanes. The Bridge is 130 meters long and 20 meters wide.
The new Kandy-Katugastota bridge was declared open by President
Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.
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