The construction work of the Chattogram Elevated Expressway, the 16-km long project which is being constructed from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga in the port city; is nearing completion.
The city’s first-ever elevated expressway will be launched in November this year. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate in that time.
Other works of the project, including carpeting of 7-km road are nearing completion. People will reach Patenga from Lalkhan Bazar within 15-20 minutes if the flyover is opened. Using this flyover, expatriates can reach the airport without any hassle.
The construction work of various other mega projects is also going on at a fast pace in Chattogram. At present, the expressway work is going on at Lalkhan Bazar intersection. A ramp will go down there to connect the elevated expressway with the Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury flyover.
The construction of the 16-km long elevated expressway has progressed more than 80 percent. The work from Shah Amanat Airport to Nimtala of port area is almost complete. Construction work is going on in Agrabad, Dewanhat, Sheikh Mujib Road and Tigerpass areas.
The project director said that 14 ramps will be constructed at different points of the city to get on and off the flyover. There will be 14 ramps along with the main flyover. People can get on and off the flyover at various points through these ramps.
CDA Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams said that a ramp of the elevated expressway will come down to Lalkhan Bazar, which will be connected to the flyover. Now that part is working. Work is progressing from Agrabad to Lalkhan Bazar. Other works have progressed a lot. Hopefully, it will be possible to complete the work within the stipulated time. The construction of the ramp will be done only after the flyover work.
Chairman of Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) M Zahirul Alam Dubash visited the elevated expressway in Patenga area last Saturday afternoon.
Elevated Expressway Project Director Md. Mahfuzur Rahman said that currently 80 percent of the project has been completed. The rest of the work is in progress to be completed soon. Many obstacles have to be overcome in the construction of the flyover. At present the work is progressing rapidly overcoming all obstacles.
The flyover will be opened for traffic soon after the inauguration. The traffic pressure of the city will reduce a little. The construction of Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) elevated expressway will ease traffic congestion at the airport, CDA officials said.
It is known that CDA Elevated Expressway construction has been undertaken to reduce the distance from the main city to Shah Amanat International Airport. The project at was approved by ECNEC on 11 July 2017.
On 24 February 2019 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the pillar piling work of the project.
At the same time, the project cost has been increased by 36 percent due to cost increase in various areas including changing the alignment of the expressway, new land acquisition, construction of toll plaza, installation of CCTV cameras, construction of control tower, construction of foot over bridges at various points, installation of sound proof barrier and relocation of electric work.