The six-lane 3rd Shitalakhya Bridge, scheduled to open on Monday, will connect Narayanganj city with Bandar upazila which will boost country's economy as well as ease the communication between Chattogram and southwestern districts via Padma Bridge, reports BSS.
"After the opening of the bridge, Chattogram region-bound vehicles from southwestern region and vice-versa will be able to bypass Narayanganj city to avoid traffic congestion and save time," Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Narayanganj Md Monjurul Hafiz told a press briefing on Sunday.
Monjurul Hafiz said the bridge, first of all, ensured secured communication for the locals who witnessed a number of accidents and deaths while crossing the river by boat as boats often collide with large ships.
It will connect Madanganaj of Bandar upazila on the east with Syedpur of Narayanganj Sadar upazila on the west connecting the Narayanganj and Munshiganj districts with the Padma bridge, he added.
The DC said the bridge will reduce the travel time of vehicles bound to and from southeastern part of the country as using the bridge Chattogram region-bound vehicles from southwestern region and vice-versa will be able to bypass Narayanganj city avoiding traffic congestion and saving times.
Country's economy will get boosted up significantly after opening of the bridge, he further said.
Project director of the bridge Shoaib Ahmed said the bridge was constructed at a cost of Taka 608.56 crore, of which Taka 263.36 crore came from Bangladesh government fund and Taka 345.20 crore from Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
The bridge with walkways has 38 spans - five in river and 33 in east and west ends. The width of the bridge along with walkways is 22.15 meters. Besides, six-lane toll plaza, 1.5 km long approach road was also built.
Two lanes of the bridge will be dedicated for maximum speed transport while the rest two lanes will be for the transports with minimum speed.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
