20 km of Dhaka-Aricha highway to be 10 lanes

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said the government has taken the initiative to develop about 20 kilometres of Dhaka-Aricha highway, from Gabtoli to Nabinagar, to make 10 lanes. Work of its feasibility study has been completed, and process of selecting investment organisation is underway.

The minister said this after inaugurating construction work of Salehpur Bridge-2 (four lanes) at Savar's Aminbazar via video conference.

Quader, also Awami League general secretary, said the Gabtoli bridge is highly busy and not in good condition, so authorities want to renovate it. Therefore, it will be developed to have eight lanes. The process to develop it is ongoing, and work will start soon.

The highway from Nabinagar to Paturia will be developed to have four lanes, on government-to-government basis with funds of Japan. Moreover, special measures have been taken for kitchen markets by the highway to ease traffic congestion, the minister said.

Construction cost for Salehpur Bridge-2 has been estimated to be Tk 40.30 crore, and its estimated implementation time was fixed at 24 months. As such, construction work is supposed to finish by February 1, 2023. At present, there is a four-lane bridge at the area.

Meanwhile, Salehpur bridge's Dhaka-bound lanes remained closed since January, due to several cracks found on its girders. Roads and Highways Department started repair work on January 15.

executive engineer (Dhaka division) at RHD Shamim Al Mamun had earlier told The Daily Star that repair work will be completed within three weeks. Yesterday, he said work is almost over and the bridge will be open for vehicular movement within two days.