The government has initiated a move for constructing Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway involving $ 2 billion to ease traffic congestion in and around the capital.
Bangladesh Bridges Authority has prepared a draft Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP) to this end with an estimated cost of Tk 16,388.50 crore or around $ 2.05 billion.
The project work is expected to kick off in January 2018 and end by December 2024.
“The main objective of the 39.24-km long East-West Elevated Expressway Project is to reduce traffic congestions in and around Dhaka city,” said a Bridges Division official.
The official said the East West Elevated Expressway Project will allow traffic to travel around the western perimeter of Dhaka between Dhaka Highway and Dhaka-Chittagong Highway with connections to Dhaka-Mawa highway which is directly linked to the Padma Bridge apart from reducing traffic congestions in and around the capital.
Besides, traffic movement from Chittagong, Sylhet and other eastern parts, and from south-western region through proposed Padma Bridge at Mawa-Janzira to the 20 north-western districts will be easier without entering Dhaka city after the implementation of the proposed mega project. Source: UNB
The project is consistent with the Strategic Transport Plan (2016-2035) and the Asian Highway Network. It will be vital for establishing an improved transport link to the Trans Asian Highways.
The route alignment of the proposed expressway is Hemayetpur-Nimtoli- Keraniganj-Ekuria-Janzira-Fatullah-Hajiganj Bandar-Modonpur (on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway.
“An integral part of the project is its connection to the upgraded Dhaka-Mawa Highway and hence the Padma Bridge,” said the official adding that the connection will allow traffic to travel across the Padma Bridge and South to Chittagong as well northward to Joydevpur and Tangail on the outskirts of Dhaka and onwards to the northern districts such as Mymensingh.
The proposed expressway will be associated with the construction of a 2.5 kilometer-long flyover through Savar on Dhaka Highway.
Another official at the Bridges Division told UNB that the major design elements of this expressway include the total width of 20.56 metres, maximum grade 4 percent and ramp width 7.1 metres.
The official said the interchanges of the expressway are proposed at Hemayetpur, Dhaka-Mawa Highway, Narayanganj and Dhaka-Chittagong Highway.
According to him, the expressway is envisaged to be a tolled expressway suitable for the use of motorised traffic such as buses, trucks and cars.
For safety and security of the expressway and considering its capacity, CNG auto-rickshaws and non-motorised vehicles would not be permitted to ply the expressway.
A feasibility study has already been completed for the project as per the target of the 7th Five Year Plan.