CHATTOGRAM, Oct 29: The 16.5 km CDA Elevated Expressway, country's longest, is expected to be opened to traffic in December.
Construction of the expressway has been completed, said Project Director and Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) Executive Engineer Mahfuzur Rahman.
The CDA Board at a meeting held on Monday proposed to open the expressway to traffic.
The proposal, which includes fixing toll rate for different vehicles, will be sent to the Ministry for approval, he said.
"As soon as the proposal is approved by the Ministry, the Expressway will be opened to traffic,' he said.
Meanwhile the expressway was opened to traffic on trial basis on August 29, without charging toll.
Approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2017, for comp[letion in three years at an estimated cost of Tk 32.5 billion.
But the deadline was missed.
The deadline for completion was extended to June 2024, and an additional Tk 10.48 billion was allocated for the project.
The expressway is designed to connect Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport with Patenga, Chattogram port, EPZ and Agrabad at the city centre.
Out of 15 ramps four would be in Agrabad.
The elevated expressway is designed to improve communication between Chattogram City, South Chattogram, the outlying upazilas and to reduce travel time and expenses.
Max-Rankin Joint Venture of China was tasked to the construct the expressway.
The updated cost of the project is Tk 4,298.95 crore with the deadline extended to June 2024, the third extension.
The 16.5 km elevated expressway will be a four-lane path with 16.5- metre width. Including the ramps, the length of the expressway will be 28.5 km.
The ramps will facilitate entry and exit at Tigerpass, Agrabad, Barik Building, Nimtala Biswa Road, Customs Area, CEPZ, Karnaphuli EPZ, Katghar Area, the sea-beach and airport intersections.
