An eagerly awaited 11-kilometer stretch of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, running from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Farmgate via Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, and Tejgaon, is set to open to traffic soon, offering a much-needed alternative route to one of the city’s busiest roads.
This newly accessible section boasts 15 well-designed ramps, providing smooth entry and exit points for vehicles and allowing commuters to bypass congested crossings and roads, offering some respite from the perennial traffic snarls.
Notably, the expressway will be exclusively reserved for four-wheel vehicles, with speeds reaching up to 80 km per hour, according to reliable sources. However, three-wheelers and motorcycles will be restricted from using this roadway.
Expected to open next year, the remaining 19.73km of the expressway constitutes the country’s first-of-its-kind transportation project and is being implemented under the Public-Private Partnership model with foreign investment. Commuters will be required to pay tolls to access this modern roadway.
Transport expert Prof Shamsul Hoque believes that despite some doubts regarding its impact due to delays in implementation and design changes, the project, along with the Dhaka-Ashulia Expressway, will eventually bring significant economic benefits to the nation.
Construction is also underway for the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, spanning from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) via Abdullahpur, Ashulia, and Baipail, with an estimated completion deadline of June 2026. The two expressways, totaling around 40 km, are planned to be interconnected at the South Kawla point in the airport area.
Upon completion, these elevated expressways will allow people from the northern, western, and southwestern regions to traverse the city without entering the bustling city streets.
During a recent visit, it was observed that the road surfacing on major portions of the expressway had been completed. The toll plaza at the entrance, situated at the South Kawla point, was also nearly 80 percent done, with six booths, including two for electronic toll collection.
Construction workers were actively engaged in building the 15 ramps, strategically positioned for smooth access to the expressway. One significant exit ramp was spotted, elegantly spanning the airport road near the third terminal, which is currently under construction.
According to Project Director AHMS Akhtar, all 15 ramps will be completed by September, and while some will be opened to traffic gradually, the entire expressway section from the airport to Farmgate is already 90 percent completed.
Excitingly, in September of this year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the airport-to-Farmgate section, bringing relief to countless commuters and promising faster access to the airport.
With these ambitious transport projects, Dhaka looks forward to a future where smoother travel, economic growth, and reduced traffic woes are on the horizon.
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