Rajagiriya flyover construction expedited to ease heavy traffic congestion

Construction of the Rajagiriya flyover is to be expedited with the aim of finishing it in double quick time to ease the heavy traffic congestion at the Rajagiriya junction along Sri Jayawardenapura Mawatha.

National Policy and Economic Development Deputy Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva who paid an inspection visit to the construction area on Tuesday has directed the construction company officials to complete the work by December this year.

Construction work of the flyover was launched last year by the Road Development Authority (RDA) under the directions of Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella as a solution to heavy vehicular congestion.

The project was initially scheduled to be completed in December next year but is being expedited to tackle the heavy traffic which has become a severe headache for motorists and daily commuters. The Government of Spain is funding the project and Centunion S. A.of Spain has been entrusted with the task of designing and supplying of the super structure as the main contractor.

Access Engineering PLC is the project sub contractor handling the substructure, onsite fabrication, installation and formation of the steel superstructure, Highways Ministry sources said. The estimated cost will come down to Rs. 4.5 billion from the earlier estimate of Rs.4.7 billion as a result of expediting the project, Deputy Minister Dr.de Silva said.

Over 50 per cent of the construction work of 363 metre flyover with four traffic lanes with a width of 3.5 metres each has already been completed, ministry sources said.

Over 75,000 vehicles including passenger transport buses ply daily through Rajagiriya creating heavy vehicular traffic towards Battaramulla, Parliament Road, Kalapaluwawa, Borella, and Nugegoda.