Rs 1.1 billion was invested in the road widening project which was undertaken in four phases with Pont Colville to Montebello being the last phase.
The widening of the road from two lanes to three aims to accelerate the flow of traffic for road users especially those from Phoenix to Port Louis.
The third lane from Colville Deverell bridge to Montebello which is 3.2 km long, will be operational at the end of May 2013 at the cost of Rs 257 million and the bridge at a cost of Rs 240 million.
The construction work was awarded to Chinese company Syno Hydro. Cadresen Dorsamy, General Manager of the Road Development Authority (RDA) stated that the last phase of this project is much more complicated with the presence of the Colville Deverell bridge which needs to be widened as well.
“It will be expanded by 3.5 m to accommodate a third lane to Soreze. The realisation of this project has needed high precision engineering and girders which were imported from Luxembourg that will reach the island in April,” said Dorsamy.
This phase of the project also includes a pedestrian bridge to eliminate pedestrians crossing the highway dangerously.
This project forms part of the Road Decongestion Programme initiated by the RDA in consultation with the Government of Mauritius where its main objective is to alleviate traffic congestion.
The widening of the road from Pailles to Caudan cost Rs 238 million, Pont Fer to St Jean at a cost of Rs 173 million, St Jean to Pont Colville RS 239, Pont Colville to Pailles Rs 257 and the bridge Rs 240 million.
