First section of Bangladesh's first fully enclosed expressway comes into trial operation

DHAKA -- The first section of the Dhaka Bypass Expressway, constructed by a Chinese company, officially opened for trial operation here Thursday.

This expressway, invested, constructed, and operated by Sichuan Road and Bridge (Group) Co., Ltd. (SRBG), the first fully enclosed expressway in Bangladesh, will serve as an important traffic artery in the South Asian country, connecting the capital Dhaka to Chattogram, the largest port in southeastern Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is set to celebrate Eid al-Fitr soon, and as more and more people travel home, road congestion has become severe.

"On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important festivals in Bangladesh, the company has decided to come into trail operation, which is expected to benefit over two million homebound families," said Xiao Zhiming, CEO and general manager of the Dhaka Bypass Expressway Development Company.

During the construction, the project has developed two technologies: "semi-rigid pavement" and "reinforced retaining walls" to minimize the use of local bricks, which are harmful to the environment, and are well-recognized by local government and experts in the sector.

The original four-hour journey will be shortened to two hours when the project is completed, effectively alleviating traffic congestion, accelerating logistics services, and improving residents' travel experiences.