Japan provides Rs. 30m grant for new bridge and causeway

The Government of Japan has provided a grant of Rs. 30 million (Japanese Yen 33 million) for the preparation of the detailed design for the construction of a new bridge connecting the Mannar Island to the mainland and improvement of its causeway.

After the completion of the detailed design, it is expected to construct a new bridge with a span of 157.1 metres in length and 10.4 metres in width and improve the causeway up to 3.14 kilometres in length and 11.0 metres in width on the Medawachchiya - Mannar - Thalaimannar (A 14) Road.

The existing bridge and causeway which connect the Mannar Island and the mainland were constructed in 1930s with a single lane which is narrow in width. This is the only access road to the Mannar Island from the mainland.

This bridge which was damaged due to the bomb blast in 1990 was restored with a temporary bailey bridge of narrow width and is restricted for heavy vehicles of over 10 tons. The causeway is also of narrow width with single traffic line. The movements along the causeway are frequently interrupted during the monsoons due to high tidal waves affecting smooth transportation as well as traffic safety.

Approximately 40,000 people living in the Mannar Island will be directly benefited by this project by improving the market accessibility and facilitating transportation at low cost.

After completion of the detailed design, the Government of Japan is expected to provide further grant assistance for the construction of the new bridge and causeway at a cost of Rs. 1,750 million. The construction work is expected to be completed in 2009. The Road Development Authority under the supervision of the Ministry of Highways will implement the project.

The signing of Exchange of Letters pertaining to the grant took place at the Ministry of Finance and Planning. Kiyoshi Araki, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka signed the Exchange of Letters on behalf of the Government of Japan while Dr. P B Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning signed on behalf of the Government.

Mrs. Sujatha Cooray, Director General, External Resources Department and Yasuhiro Watanabe, Second Secretary, Economic Cooperation, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka also participated.