President to open Rajagiriya flyover on Monday

• Flyover touted as long-term solution to traffic congestion

President Maithripala Sirisena is to officially declare open the Rajagiriya flyover on 8 January, providing a long-term solution for the heavy traffic congestion in the Rajagiriya area, his office said in a statement yesterday.

Even though the construction work of the flyover was scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, the statement said, steps were taken under the guidance of the President to complete the construction 11 months ahead of the schedule for the convenience of the public.

Construction work commenced in the year 2016 jointly by a Spanish company and a local company at a cost of Rs. 4,700 million.

With a total length of 533 metres and a width of 21.4 metres, the flyover comprises four lanes – that is, two lanes on either side.

In parallel to this project, several roads around the Rajagiriya area will be developed and an alternative road towards Narahenpita will be developed. The President’s statement added that the road towards Buthgamuwa will also be developed with a total of three lanes. 

The flyover built using high standard modern technology in accordance with high quality engineering practices, the statement went on to say, will be added to Sri Lanka’s roadways history as the first flyover constructed filling concrete surfaces on metal. 

“In heavy traffic congestion in Rajagiriya, the speed of the vehicles moving on this road is slower than 2km per hour and it is expected after the completion of this flyover the speed limits of the vehicles to be increased by eightfold,” the President’s Office said in the statement.

 “This flyover can be considered one of the most significant road development projects implemented by the present Government under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena, giving the benefits of sustainable development to the country. It can also be considered an important milestone in the process of strengthening the economy of this country,” it added.