New Kallady Bridge financed by JICA opens to public

The new Kallady Bridge across Batticaloa lagoon was ceremonially opened by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Nobuhito Hobo, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, on Friday, March 22, 2013. The event was attended by Harumi Ao, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Sri Lanka and other dignitaries.

The bridge is one of the components of the Pro Poor Eastern Infrastructure Development Project (PPEIDP) financed by JICA, and implemented by the Road Development Authority under the guidance of Ministry of Ports and Highways.

The Project consisted of widening and rehabilitation of 100km of A4-A15 national highway from Thrikkandiadimadu to Akkaraipattu and construction of a new bridge at Kallady to replace the existing bridge.

The road component is already completed, and with the opening of the bridge on Friday, the Project would be concluded.

The old Kallady Bridge was originally constructed as a railway bridge in 1928 and later converted to a one-lane road bridge connecting the northern and southern parts of Batticaloa District.

Since it is a one-lane structure, traffic has to take turns to cross it, requiring average waiting times up to 10 minutes at peak traffic times. The new bridge constructed under the Project has a two-lane carriage way, and bicycle lane and sidewalks on both sides to accommodate all types of road users.

The 288.35m long new Kallady Bridge consists of six spans of 48.05m. It is the longest span used in post tension concrete bridges in Sri Lanka to date. The long span minimizes obstruction to water flow and also for fisheries activities in the lagoon.

“We hope this assistance will contribute to improving connectivity within and among the provinces, and provide better access for residents of the Eastern Province to socio-economic facilities,” Harumi Ao, Chief Representative of JICA – Sri Lanka Office said.

JICA is one of the largest donors to the road sector in Sri Lanka. JICA’s current loan assistance in the sector includes the construction of the Southern Expressway and Outer Circular Expressway, development of 315km of rural roads in the Eastern Province and 350km of provincial roads in the Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. Constructions of six medium scale bridges in the Eastern Province are in progress through JICA’s grant assistance.

JICA’s 43rd loan assistance package to Sri Lanka signed on March 14, 2013 includes two further projects for the road sector, for construction of major bridges on the national road network and rectification of landslide damaged road infrastructure.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the executing agency of Japan’s Bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA). JICA, the world’s biggest bilateral aid agency, works in over 150 countries and regions.

In accordance with its vision of “Inclusive and Dynamic Development,” JICA supports the resolution of development issues in developing countries.

In Sri Lanka, Japan has been providing financial and technical assistance since 1954 and is one of the largest donors to the country. On behalf of the people and the Government of Japan, JICA contributes to improve lives of the people in Sri Lanka.

(SP)