New Mannar bridge vested with public

Dhanushka GODAKUMBURA in Mannar

The Mannar bridge and causeway connecting the Mannar Island with the mainland constructed at a cost of Rs 2,640 million of Japanese assistance was vested with the public by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

The Mannar bridge was destroyed by LTTE terrorists two decades ago and since then a temporary structure constructed by the Sri Lanka Army was in place to help transportation.

Around 41,000 people in Mannar Island will directly benefit from the project which will improve market links and facilitate transportation at a low cost.

The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has funded the construction of the new bridge and causeway which stands as another monument to the long existing friendship between the two nations.

The new bridge spanning 157.1 metres in length and 10.4 metres in width has been constructed with two carriageways and sidewalks on the Medawachchiya-Mannar-Thalaimannar (A 14) Road.

The causeway has been extended up to 3.14km in length and 11 metres in width comprising two lanes of carriageway.

The foundation was laid for the construction of the new bridge in November 2007. The construction was carried out uninterrupted despite LTTE threats in 2008 and 2009.

The Road Development Authority under the supervision of the Highways and Road Development Ministry has implemented the Project.