The government has taken steps to widen and reconstruct 46 bridges on national road network.

The 46 bridges which have been identified for widening and reconstruction under this project are on the basis of their requirement to carry the increasing volume of traffic as well as their weak condition and narrowness of the bridges, the Ministry of Finance and Planning said.

These bridges have been selected from 17 districts in Western, Southern, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Western Provinces on priority basis. The bridges located close to towns are given high priority with a view to eliminate the traffic congestion. Replacement of structurally weak and narrow bridges will help in reducing the traffic congestion and traffic accidents as well as improving the connectivity of the road network, the Ministry further said.

As a result of the rapid economic development, volume of traffic has increased in the recent past. Improvements to most of the bridges on the national road network are imperative to get the expected benefits from improvements and developments made to the road network made recently, the Ministry added.

The Government of French Republic has agreed to provide financial assistance to the project.

Financial Protocol to provide 22,050,000 Euro for widening and reconstruction of bridges on National Road Network was signed at the Ministry of Finance & Planning by Dr. P B Jayasundera, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Planning and Ms. Robichon, Ambassador of France in Sri Lanka on behalf of the Governments of Sri Lanka and France respectively.

In addition, the Government of France has already extended financial assistance for Greater Trincomalee Integrated Water Supply Scheme and Improving the Efficiency of Operation Theatres and Provision of Oxygen Concentrators to Remote Hospitals project which are currently being implemented successfully.