Saturday Feb 07, 2026
Saturday Feb 07, 2026
Saturday, 7 February 2026 02:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Construction of two major road infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic congestion in Kandy formally moved forward yesterday, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presiding over the commencement of the Mahaiyawa underpass and the resumption of the long-stalled Kandy–Gatambe flyover.
Work on the Mahaiyawa underpass, located on the Kandy–Jaffna Road (A009), one of the main access routes into Kandy city, commenced under the patronage of the President. The project, implemented by the Road Development Authority (RDA), is being carried out at a cost of Rs. 699.6 million and is scheduled to be completed within 273 days.
During the event, President Dissanayake inspected the underpass design, held a brief discussion with officials overseeing the project and interacted with members of the public who had gathered at the site.
In addition, construction work on the Kandy–Gatambe flyover, which had been suspended for several years, was officially resumed. The project, which originally commenced in 2021 with loan assistance from the Government of Hungary, was estimated to cost Rs. 14.37 billion.
However, the suspension of Hungarian loan assistance during the recent economic crisis led to a halt in construction. Construction has now recommenced using domestic funds amounting to Rs. 12.27 billion, with authorities planning to complete the project within 22 months.
The flyover is being built along William Gopallawa Mawatha, beginning from the southern bank of the Mahaweli River on Gannoruwa Road and extending over the Gatambe junction and the railway line.
The main flyover will have a total length of 374 metres and will be constructed as a dual-carriageway up to the railway line. An auxiliary flyover from the Peradeniya side will connect to the main structure above the railway line and link with William Gopallawa Mawatha as a three-lane carriageway. This auxiliary flyover will be 172 metres in length and 6.5 metres in width, enabling vehicles travelling from Kandy to Peradeniya to proceed along William Gopallawa Mawatha without delays at the railway crossing. The dual-lane section of the main flyover will have a width of 9.4 metres, while the three-lane section will measure 12.9 metres in width.
President Dissanayake inspected the project plans at the site and engaged in discussions with project officials on the progress and timelines.
Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Rathnayake, Transport and Highways Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena, Central Province Governor Professor S.B.S. Abeykoon, Kandy District MP Thanura Dissanayake, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte, along with other public representatives and senior officials of the RDA, were present at both events.
