Four bridges to boost Eastern economy

Irangika RANGE

The Government has embarked on a massive development project of reconstructing four main bridges at a cost of nearly Rs.2,800 million to boost the economic activities among easterners under the Eastern Province Resurgence project.

A Road Development Authority ADB Division's spokesman told the Daily News that four bridges in Irrakkandi, Yan Oya, Pudavaikattu and Oddamavadi will be reconstructed under Spanish assistance.

The project is being implemented on a special request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to spur economic growth in Sri Lanka.

It will also assist local communities in the Eastern Province to build their economies and recover from the devastating tsunami and the long-term conflict.

He said that the four bridges would overcome the difficulties faced by the people of the area who earlier used to cross the lagoons by ferry.

The people living in the Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts have thanked President Rajapaksa as their dream had become a reality because of these new bridges.

The Irrakkandi bridge constructed at a cost of Rs. 713 million will be opened on October 20. The spokesman said that the bridge, is 300 meters in length spanning over the Irrakkandi Lagoon. It is 7 meters wide with two lanes of 1.5 meters for pedestrians.

The public transport in Batticaloa and Trincomalee would be without hassle because of these bridges.

Meanwhile, the construction work of the Oddamavadi, Yan Oya and Pudavaikattu bridges is also nearing completion. "They will be handed over to the public very soon and people of these areas will be overjoyed to hear that these bridges are almost complete," the spokesman added.

Oddamavadi, Yan Oya and Pudavaikattu bridges are being constructed at a cost of Rs.728million, Rs.516 million and Rs.840 million respectively.

The United Nation Office for Project Service(UNOPS) is handling the construction work which is being supervised by the Road Development Authority and the Highways and Road Development Ministry.