The Mirpur-Airport Road flyover will open to traffic on Wednesday, three months before schedule.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the flyover the day after Independence Day, said Communication Minister Obaidul Quader.
He told journalists during a visit to the site on Monday, “The construction of the flyover is 100% complete. It will be opened to the public after the Prime Minister inaugurates it on March 27.”
“The traffic in Dhaka is beyond terrible since most of its streets face north to south. This flyover will connect the city’s eastern parts to its west and play a vital role in eliminating traffic jam,” he added.
The construction of the flyover began in March, 2010 and the project was scheduled to end in June.
“Residents of the greater Mirpur will be able to reach the Airport Road in 20 to 25 minutes. They will have to travel three kilometres to reach there, instead of the 11-kilometre long road in front of the Prime Minister’s Office”, said the minister.
The Mirpur-Airport Road flyover project under the Roads and Highways Department was constructed by the 16 Engineering Construction Battalion under Bangladesh Army’s Special Work Organisation.
The construction of the 1,793-metre long flyover cost almost Tk 1.99 billion. The entire project including the Banani Rail Crossing Overpass is worth almost Tk 3.6 billion.
According to the Ministry of Communication, a total of four U-loops will be created on the road between Bijoy Sarani to Shahjalal International Airport in a move to avert traffic gridlocks.
One will be before the Army Golf Club, two in front of Navy Headquarters in Banani, and another in front of ‘Setu Bhaban’ – Bangladesh Bridge Authority in Mohakhali. The authorities believe these U-loops will play an important role in eliminating traffic snarl-ups.
Source: Bd news24
A very encouraging and happy news indeed! Salute to the Military Engineering Service and the Minister for Communication. Special thanks to the Minister for his praiseworthy active role in disposing his duties. Had there been a few other Ministers in important Ministries, we would have got a city we so ardently want.