The new elevated expressway around Dhaka in Bangladesh will revitalise the city – image courtesy of © Nuvisage, Dreamstime.com
A section of the new elevated expressway being built in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, is scheduled to opt to traffic in 2022. The section most nearing completion links Tajgaon and Kawla.
The 20km elevated expressway project is costing US$1.11 billion and has been split into three sections. However, the other two sections being built are still at a comparatively early stage of construction.
Construction of the tolled Dhaka Elevated Expressway Project (DEEP) will deliver enormous benefits for the city, reducing chronic traffic congestion at peak periods. It will also link industrial facilities as well as the expanding international airport that lies to the north of the busy Bangladesh capital.
When complete, the DEEP will cut journey times across Dhaka. Heavy trucks will be allowed to use the DEEP during the day. At present heavy trucks are only permitted to cross Dhaka during the night to lower traffic congestion. Allowing large trucks to use the DEEP in daylight will deliver a major boost to commercial activity for Dhaka, as well as for the GDP of Bangladesh as a whole.
The DEEP is being constructed to international standards. For example, the road surfaces will meet the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials load and resistance factor design AASHTO LRFD Construction Specification – 3rd Edition 2010 for asphalt type and quality.
Both Mott MacDonald and Italian-Thai Development have been heavily involved in the DEEP project since its inception.
