Dhaur-Ashulia service bridges open to ease traffic

Two 2-lane service bridges stretching from Dhaur intersection to Ashulia Bazar under the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project were opened to traffic on Wednesday.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam MP officially opened the two bridges at Dhaur intersection at 10:30 AM on Wednesday (September 2). Each bridge spans 3.71 kilometres in length.

Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam attended the ceremony as the chief guest. State Minister for Bridges Division Md Rajib Ahsan and Dhaka-19 MP Dr Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin Babu were present as special guests.

China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) President Zhao Yue, along with project officials, consultants, contractors, and media personnel, also attended.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister stated that the service bridges were opened so that citizens could receive step-by-step benefits while construction of the main expressway continues. He added that making the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway operational will ensure faster, seamless communication across Dhaka, Ashulia, Savar, Baipail, and nearby industrial zones. It will also boost goods transport, worker commuting, and trade.

The Minister highlighted that authority is giving priority to protecting rivers, water bodies, and the environment during execution. Removing the existing at-grade road on the Dhaur-Ashulia section will restore natural water flow, reducing water-logging and flood risks.

The project features a nearly 24-kilometre-long elevated expressway, 14 ramps, and a trumpet interchange at Baipail. Jointly funded by Bangladesh and China, the approved project period runs from September 2017 to June 2030.

-AI/SA