Two Service Bridges Open on Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway to Ease Traffic Congestion
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Two service bridges spanning 3.71 kilometers on the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project, stretching from Dhaur Mor to Ashulia, were opened to traffic on Wednesday. Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Sheikh Rabiul Alam officially inaugurated the infrastructure by cutting a ribbon at 11:00 a.m.
The two-lane bridges are now operational, allowing the movement of all types of vehicles without the requirement of toll payments.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Minister Alam noted that the project had previously faced significant stagnation. He emphasized that since the current government assumed responsibility, it has prioritized the project by ensuring necessary budget allocations and accelerating the pace of construction. He described the current quality and implementation speed of the project as satisfactory.
The Minister reported that 65 to 70 percent of the project has been completed over the past three and a half years. He stated that the project’s scope and duration were revised to ensure rapid progress, adding that another segment is expected to be completed by December. The entire project is projected to conclude within the next year.
Project officials highlighted that upon full completion, the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway will connect Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with Abdullahpur, Ashulia, Baipail, and the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) on the Nabinagar-Chandra highway. This connectivity is expected to provide efficient transit options for commuters entering and exiting the capital.
The expressway is set to benefit more than 40 million people across 30 districts, including those in the northern region. It is anticipated to facilitate smoother cargo and passenger transport while significantly reducing traffic congestion. According to project documentation, the infrastructure is projected to contribute 0.217 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The project, which runs from September 1, 2017, to June 30, 2030, has a total estimated cost of 27.045 billion taka. Key physical components include 24 kilometers of elevated expressway, 10.834 kilometers of ramps, 16.58 kilometers of at-grade roads, a 4.05-kilometer Baipail trumpet interchange, and two bridges totaling 7.42 kilometers in length. As of July 2026, the project has recorded 66 percent physical progress and 56.02 percent financial progress.
The inauguration event, held between Ashulia Bazar and the Dhaur area, was presided over by Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Mohammad Abdur Rouf. Attendees included State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Rajib Ahsan, Members of Parliament Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin and S.M. Jahangir Hossain, China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) President Chi Yue, and Project Director Shafiqul Islam.
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