President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened the new Katugastota Bridge which connects Kandy town, Matale and Kurunegala, yesterday, July 26.

The new bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs.525million is 130 metres in length and 20 metres wide. It will be a timely solution to the problem of traffic congestion in the city of Kandy.

Work on the old Katugastota Bridge began on September 1, 1858. The bridge was of an iron lattice type with three sections, each of 140ft giving it a total span of 4200ft. It was opened after 1 1/2 years, on March 1, 1860.

However, due to heavy traffic the bridge had to be strengthened in 1905. After 30 years a second reconstruction became necessary which provided for strengthening of the piers and adding pedestrian walkways, but retained the original decking and carriageway.

President Rajapaksa started construction of the new Katugastota Bridge in June, 2005 when he held the portfolio of Ministry of Highways.

The President is paying a great attention for constructing of bridges with his concept of ‘Maga Neguma’ to develop infrastructure facilities in Sri Lanka. Constructions of the bridges in Arugambay, Kelaniya, Nugegoda, Bentota and Lathpandura have already been completed under the Maga Neguma program.