With construction progressing rapidly, Chattogram’s first-ever elevated expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Shah Amanat International Airport is set to be opened in November this year, promising significant traffic alleviation in the port city.
Officials associated with the project have reported that the main flyover construction is now 80 percent complete. Girders’ installation from Patenga to Chowmuhuni is finished, and work is progressing swiftly from Dewanhat to Lalkhan Bazar, the connection point with Akhtaruzzaman Flyover.
The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has taken up this project, which initially had an estimated cost of Tk 32.50 billion.
However, due to various design modifications, the cost has escalated to Tk 42.98 billion. CDA Executive Engineer and Project Director (PD), Md Mahfuzur Rahman, confirmed that all design complexities and other issues have been resolved. The focus is now on completing work between Dewanhat to Lalkhan Bazar.
“Once completed, the main 16.5-kilometre flyover will be opened to traffic in November this year. We will then begin constructing the 14 ramps to complete all components of this mega project,” Rahman said.
He also informed that carpeting of a seven-kilometer stretch of the flyover is complete. The toll rates for using the expressway will be determined at a later date.
The deadline for this project has been set for June 2024. However, Engineer Mahfuzur anticipates that the entire 2024 may be required to complete the construction of the ramps and other elements.
The project, initiated in January 2018 to ease traffic congestion in the city, has been delayed due to objections from various departments, including the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), and the Traffic Department of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP).
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) greenlit the project, funded by the government, in July 2017.
The aim is to improve connectivity between Chattogram city and south Chattogram districts and upazilas, cut travel distance and expense for commuters, and facilitate smoother movement to and from the Chattogram Port and Shah Amanat International Airport.
The expressway, extending 16.5 km and having a total width of 16.5 meters, will feature four lanes and 14 ramps at different points, stretching from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga. This will take the total length of the expressway to 28.5 km.
The CDA has previously constructed two flyovers connecting Bahoddarhat and Lalkhan Bazar areas. Upon the expressway’s completion, the city’s two ends will be linked via these flyovers and the elevated expressway.
Meanwhile, ECNEC approved a Tk 6.50 billion project on June 6 this year for the development of an international standard intersection at the mouth of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, the elevated expressway, and Outer Ring Road at the Patenga end.
The project aims to further ease traffic movement in the area.
Source: The Daily SUN.