Chief Government Whip and Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando vested with the public yesterday (28) the newly upgraded and developed 86.7 km stretch of highway from Bibile to Chenkalady, the Ministry announced.The Ministry noted that the project would be a major booster to the economy by enhancing people’s access to markets and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals, and reducing travel time due to the reduction of traffic congestion, which would ultimately reduce travel costs, benefiting passengers and industries. The feasibility study of the project to develop this stretch of the A5 main road to a two-lane highway commenced in 2014. The A5 highway from Peradeniya, Badulla to Chenkalady is 275 km long.The development and upgrading of the road had been done in three phases by two construction companies. The first phase covered the development of a 29 km stretch from Bibile to Padiyatalawa, while the 30 km stretch from Padiyatalawa to Tempitiya was covered by the second phase. Under the third phase of the project, a 27.7 km stretch of road from Tempitiya to Chenkalady was upgraded.Upgrading the 86.7 km road from Bibile to Chenkalady cost Rs. 7,200 million. The Saudi Fund for Development assisted the Sri Lankan Government in covering the cost. A sum of Rs. 12.4 million had been paid as compensation for the loss of lands of people in the Bibile, Rideemalaiyadda, Padiyatalawa, and Mahaoya Divisional Secretariat (DS) areas because of the project.Among those present at the event were State Minister of Backward Rural Areas Development and Promotion of Domestic Animal Husbandry and Minor Economic Crop Cultivation S. Viyalendran, Saudi Fund for Development Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sultan Bin Abdul Rahim Al-Marshad, politicians of the district, and officials led by Ministry of Highways Secretary R.W.R. Pemasiri.
