A new double railway bridge has begun construction at Maggona on Sri Lanka's Coastal Railway Line, aimed at replacing infrastructure damaged during the 2004 tsunami.
Construction commenced on Monday on a replacement railway bridge at Maggona, located along the Coastal Railway Line. The foundation stone was laid under the supervision of Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Prasanna Gunasena, marking the official start of the rehabilitation project.
The new concrete bridge, being built parallel to the existing steel structure, will span 26 metres in length and 10.5 metres in width. The project carries a cost of Rs. 401.03 million and is being funded through state resources. R.R. Construction has been contracted to complete the work under the oversight of Sri Lanka Railways, with an estimated completion timeframe of one year.
The existing steel bridge at milepost 33, chainage 43 of the railway line sustained significant damage during the 2004 tsunami and has deteriorated considerably in the years since due to insufficient maintenance efforts. This deterioration has necessitated speed restrictions on trains passing through the section, impacting service efficiency. The Railway Department's Way and Works Division has indicated that completing the new bridge will enhance both safety standards and operational performance along the route.