Reconstructed Burma Bridge may open this week

Work on the project was delayed due to Covid-19, heavy rains

ISLAMABAD:

Over a year after work was started, the newly-constructed Burma Bridge on Lehtarar Road is expected to open for traffic this weekend.

It is hoped that the 152 metre-long, and 11.5 metres wide bridge, which connects the Islamabad Expressway and the Taramri and Nilore areas via the busy Lehtarar Road will not only resolve a longstanding issue of the federal capital but will also end the miseries of the residents residing in the locality and commuters.

Work on the Rs191.1 million project was started by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in July 2019. After dismantling dilapidated sections of the old bridge, work on the reconstruction of the bridge was inaugurated by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CDA Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan and fellow MNA from Islamabad Raja Nawaz in October 2019.

Originally, work on the bridge was supposed to have been completed by March 23. However, the project ran into some delays and missed its original deadline. It then faced enforced delays due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and spells of heavy rain.

In a statement on Thursday, the CDA said that they used technology-based real-time monitoring mechanism to ensure the speedy completion of the project.

The construction of the bridge was undertaken under a comprehensive strategy of the CDA to uplift infrastructure in the city and develop long-neglected residential sectors in Islamabad. Under this strategy, the CDA started work on the Sectors G7-G-8 underpass on Faisal Avenue - which is near completion, a bridge in Park Enclave-I - which is almost complete. Similarly, the CDA plans to start development work on other long-awaited mega development projects in the city as well, including the construction of the PWD underpass and the Korang Bridge.

Construction of an interchange on Rawal Dam Chowk is likely to be kick-started soon. Simultaneously development work on neglected residential areas such as sectors I-11, I-12, I-15, E-12 and Park Enclave is continuing.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2020.