Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway Service Bridges Open to Traffic
Two new service bridges spanning the Turag River from Dhour Mor to Ashulia have been opened to traffic following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The infrastructure project aims to streamline connectivity between Dhaka and the northwestern regions of the country.
Two two-lane service bridges on the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, stretching from Dhour Mor to Ashulia, have officially been opened for public and vehicular traffic. The inauguration ceremony of these vital service bridges was marked by a ribbon-cutting event performed by Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, signifying a major milestone in the ongoing transportation development initiative.
Constructed to ensure an uninterrupted flow of water in the Turag River, the newly opened infrastructure includes a specially built bridge measuring 2.72 kilometers in length. Furthermore, each of the individual service bridges possesses a distinct length of 3.71 kilometers. Commuters utilizing these new service lanes will be able to cross the Turag River entirely free of tolls, as confirmed during the opening event.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the infrastructure, Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam stated, "Simply put, this project is a very necessary project. This project will ensure completely traffic-free communication between Dhaka and the northwestern region of the country." Elaborating on the toll structure, project official Shafiqul Islam noted that the newly opened section, alongside the entire expressway, will remain toll-free, with tolls being applied exclusively to the central four-lane portion.
The broader Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project officially commenced construction work on November 12, 2022. As the development progresses under the oversight of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, official statistics indicate that the overall physical progress of the project has currently reached approximately 72 percent completion.
Financial adjustments have marked the trajectory of the development, with the second revision of the project seeing costs increase by approximately 54.1 percent. Consequently, the total estimated expenditure for the expressway currently stands at 27,045.67 crore BDT. The opening of the Dhour Mor to Ashulia bridges represents a critical step forward in alleviating regional congestion and improving transport efficiency.
