The 18 hair-pin bend road between Kandy and Mahiyanganaya has been renovated. It will be declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa today.
The renovated road comprises two routes, a chain of protective fences and a proper and accurate system of road signals. The building of a place for travelers to rest is also under construction.
The project covered a 41-km stretch of road and included 8 bridges, 320 pipe culverts and the widening of another 37 pipe culverts.
The project was funded by the Asian Development Bank and local funding agencies.
Describing the old road, Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala said it was one of the most environmentally beautiful, yet one of the most laborious roads to travel on.
He claimed earlier, people who used to traverse the 18 hair-pin bend road were never sure they would reach their destination. However with the widening of the road, vehicles could now negotiate the bends without any difficulty.
Chief Minister of the Province Sarath Ekanayake added that since renovation even 40-ft containers could use the road
The director in charge of renovating the road, W. K. Kodituwakku said, all possible measures were taken to minimize hardship caused through the relocation of persons living along the road. He stressed, instead of using gun powder to blast rocks chemicals were used and added compensation had been paid for houses which had been damaged during renovation activities.
The journey on the 18 hair-pin bend road will henceforth hopefully be less laborious and less dangerous whilst being rather a wonderful experience for all the travellers.
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