Yangon–Pathein road upgrade exceeds 90 percent completion
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Htet Nadi/ Pearl (NP News)- March 23
The Yangon-Pathein road is more than 90 percent complete in its preparation to make it completely smooth, according to U Yan Naing Zaw, Director of the Ayeyarwady Region Road Department, contacted by The Statesman Journal.
Under the guidance of Acting President and Chairman of the National Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the constructions of a 30-foot-wide concrete road between Pantanaw and Kyaung Kone, an asphalt overlay on the Yangon-Pathein Road between Kyaung Kone and Kankalay, a road elevation between Kankalay and Darka, a road shoulder widening, and an asphalt overlay and widening of the road between Darka and Pathein have been carried out in phases, and are currently about 90 percent complete.
“The road is completely smooth. Five out of six miles of concrete paving has been completed. The remaining sections are in good condition. Everything is smooth and so, cars can accelerate quickly. About 90 percent is complete. It will be completely finished by the end of March. The remaining part is around mile marker 60 in Pantanaw Township. That is what the government is doing,” said U Yan Naing Zaw.
In addition, repairs, maintenance, and expansion of roads under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) system are being carried out at a rapid pace.
“The BOT is also doing its own thing. It is going according to its own program. The road widening work in that section has been completed for a total of 9 miles. The concrete pavement on top has not been laid yet. However, the BOT is planning to start paving before the end of this month. The BOD section is from mile 41 to mile 56,” he said.
The Yangon-Pathein highway is 113 miles and 2 furlongs long from Yangon to Pathein, and plans will be made to maintain the road during the upcoming rainy season.
“We have also set up maintenance teams to continue clearing ditches and patching the roads during the rainy season. Another thing is that this year, we have been able to do a lot of work according to the national plan, so it is unlikely that there will be as much damage as last year’s. Last year was bad because there were many parts that needed to be done in previous years. It was bad last year because we could not do it on time due to many restrictions. This year, we have been able to do both maintenance and concrete paving, so there will be no damage next year,” he said.
Road users are also kindly requested to drive in accordance with the prescribed rules and regulations and to refrain from overloading.
“Even though the road is good, please drive according to the specified traffic rules and road regulations. When loading goods, please ensure that you do not exceed the the specified load capacity. Only by not exceeding load capacity will the roads last longer,” he said. –