Kallady Bridge

Kallady Bridge (Tamil: கல்லடிப் பாலம்; also known as the Lady Manning Bridge) is a road bridge in eastern Sri Lanka. It crosses the Batticaloa Lagoon at Batticaloa. The bridge is part of the A4 Colombo-Batticaloa highway.

Kallady Bridge

கல்லடிப் பாலம்
කල්ලඩි පාලම
Old Kallady Bridge (above)
New Kallady Bridge (below) New Kallady Bridge
Coordinates7°43′09.50″N 81°42′26.40″E
CarriesMotor vehicles on the A4 highway
CrossesBatticaloa Lagoon
LocaleBatticaloa, Batticaloa District
Other name(s)Lady Manning Bridge
OwnerMinistry of Ports & Highways
Maintained byRoad Development Authority
Characteristics
DesignTruss bridge (old)
MaterialIron, cement
Total length288.35 m (946 ft)
Width14 m (46 ft)
No. of spans5 (old)
History
Construction end1924 (old)
Construction costRs.2.6 billion
Inaugurated22 March 2013 (2013-03-22) (new)
Statistics
Daily traffic10,000 per day (approx)
Location

History

The bridge was built in 1924 during British colonial rule.[1] The bridge was named Lady Manning Bridge in honour of the wife of William Manning, the British Governor of Ceylon.[2] It was the oldest and longest iron bridge in Sri Lanka.[3] On average 10,000 vehicles crossed the narrow, single lane bridge daily.[3] Accidents on the bridge would lead to traffic problems in the area.

Batticaloa's singing fish legend is associated with the bridge. In 1954 two American priests from St. Michael's College National School, Rev. Fr. Lang and Rev. Fr. Moran, recorded fishes singing under the bridge.[2] The recording was broadcast on Radio Ceylon in the 1960s.[4][5]

In 2006 plans were drawn to build a new bridge parallel to the old one.[6][7] Construction of the new bridge began in March 2008.[8] Problems with the contractor led to another contractor being appointed.[9] The new bridge was formally opened on 22 March 2013.[10]

The new two lane bridge is 288.35 m (946 ft) long and 14 m (46 ft) wide.[11] The bridge cost Rs. 2.6 billion (US$20 million) and was financed by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency under the Pro-Poor Eastern Infrastructure Development Project.[12][13]

References
  1. Aloysius, Carol (8 May 2011). "A glimpse into beautiful Batticaloa". The Nation (Sri Lanka).
  2. Jeyarajah, S. E. (2005). "City Profile: Batticaloa Municipal Council" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme/United Nations Human Settlements Programme/Ministry of Urban Development & Water Supply, Sri Lanka. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-27. Retrieved 2013-03-23.
  3. Packiyanathan, Sivam (7 December 2011). "Repair work on the Kallady bridge". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka).
  4. V., Kirishna (24 June 2012). "Batti's path to recovery". The Nation (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  5. Dole, Nilma (5 July 2009). "Calm Kallady". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  6. "Japan provides Rs.19,400 mn for three projects". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 3 March 2006. Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  7. "Japan pledges Rs. 19.4 b support". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 3 March 2006. Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  8. Caldera, Imantha (2 March 2008). "Work on Kallady bridge begins". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  9. "Sri Lankan government to open new Japan-funded Kalladi Bridge in Batticaloa next year". Colombo Page. 14 July 2012.
  10. Sri Abeyratne, Dharma (23 March 2013). "Newly constructed Kalladi Bridge opened: Country on rapid development track". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  11. "Japan Aided Project Management Unit". Road Development Authority. Archived from the original on 2013-03-02.
  12. Mudugamuwa, Maheesha (20 March 2013). "Connecting north and south Batticaloa New Kalladi Bridge opens Friday". The Island (Sri Lanka).
  13. "Sri Lankan President opens new Japan-funded Kalladi Bridge in East". Colombo Page. 22 March 2013.


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