Rehabilitation and reconstruction of 10 major bridges which were in a structurally weak condition, has been completed and was ceremonially vested with the public by the Minister of Highways and Road Development recently.
The main event was held at the scenic Polwathumodera bridge in Matara. The Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka and Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Sri Lanka Office, and many Ministers were also present.
The bridges are rehabilitated or reconstructed under the Major Bridges Construction Project of the National Road Network, financed through a Japanese Yen 12,381 million Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan under Special Terms of Economic Partnership (STEP).
The concessionary loan provides for a repayment period of 40 years including a 100-year grace period, at an interest rate of 0.2% per annum for civil works, and 0.01% per annum for consultancy services. The project is implemented by the Road Development Authority (RDA) under the Ministry of Highways and Road Development.
The 10 bridges in the Southern Province comprise the first contract package awarded under the Project in February 2015. The second contract package consisting of eight bridges in the Northern Province is now in progress and expected to be completed this year. A third contract package is in preparatory stages.