Plans afoot for elevated bridge across Kelani River

by Ranil WIJAYAPALA

The Ministry of Highways is conducting surveys to construct an elevated bridge across Kelani river at Orugodawatta and connect it with the Outer Circular Road in Pore, Athurugiriya through an elevated road, Ports and Highways Ministry Secretary Ranjith Pemasiri told the Sunday Observer.

“Initial studies are now being done to commence this project and JICA assistance will be obtained for the construction of the elevated bridges at Orugodawatta across the Kelani river”, he added.

He said the new bridge will be constructed close to the existing Kelani bridge. The bridge will be constructed first and the connecting road added later, he said.

He also said the Ministry was exploring the possibility of constructing a tunnel road across the Kandy city, enabling vehicles bound for other destinations to bypass the Kandy city centre.

“We are conducting surveys to construct this tunnel with the objective of easing the traffic congestion in the Kandy city. We are proposing to a three kilometre tunnel road which might be the longest tunnel road in the country”, he added.