Contract to design 1,500 km of national highway

The Road Development Authority (RDA) and Golder Associates Ltd., Canada signed a contract to carry out a feasibility study and detailed engineering design for 1,500 kilometres of national highway. The consultants will be paid US$ 4.2 million. The contract period is two years and work is scheduled to begin by end July.

Funds for the project have been allocated from a technical assistance loan of US$ 15 million given by the Asian Development Bank to conduct preparatory work.

A spokesman said the RDA under the Ministry of Highways has set up a road project preparatory facility project management unit to execute the project. The main objective of the project is to enable the RDA and Provincial Councils to conduct pre-construction activities in a timely manner and be ready for project implementation.

The government has initially selected 1,500 km of national highways and 3000 km of provincial roads for development which will be carried out as two contract packages.

Golder Associates Ltd, Canada in association with Lea International Ltd, Canada and the Central Engineering Consultancy Bureau of Sri Lanka has been selected to carry out the feasibility study and detailed design of 1500 km of national highways.