DOT Desk: The Construction work of the much awaited 16-km expressway in the port city (Shah Amanat Airport to Lalkhan Bazar) is likely to begin next week.
Talking to the Daily Observer, Project Director Mahfuzur Rahman said the preliminary work, including piling, has already been completed, reports The Daily Observer.
In the first phase, the construction work from Saltgola to cement crossing will be completed.
Max-Rankin, the lowest bidder for the 16.5 km long expressway has been appointed for the project on November 1 last year. Earlier, the purchase committee had recommended appointing Max-Rankin JV as the contractor for the construction work of the project.
Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Chattogram Port authority (CPA) have been working jointly to begin the work.
Earlier, A tripartite meeting between the CCC mayor, the CDA Chairman and the experts was held in this regard.
The expert team of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) presented their feasibility study in the meeting.
An expert team of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) also conducted another feasibility study on the elevated expressway.
CDA Chairman Abdus Salam and the CPA chairman also held a meeting. In the meeting, the CPA chairman committed to be involved with the construction work of the project providing financial assistance.
Prime Minister sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the 16- km long elevated expressway on January 31 last year. Besides, the Prime Minister opened the construction work of the project through video Conferencing from the PMO on November 1 last year.
The Expressway is expected to ease traffic congestion in the port city and reduce travel time to and from the airport. Presently, it takes two to three hours from airport to the city. With the completion of the project, it will take only 30 minutes.