The construction of a four-lane, 8.25-kilometre flyover centring Moghbazar and Mouchak will formally begin with the laying of its foundation stone by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 16, said the LGRD and cooperatives ministry sources.

The structure, an amalgamation of three flyovers, will be constructed in two years from November 18,2012, the day the project's contract was signed.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) signed the contract with two construction firms — Simplex Navana JV and MCC (number-4)-SEL-UDC JV, said an LGED official.

The flyover's first part goes from Shat Rasta to Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC) and Holy Family Hospital while the second goes from Eskaton to Rajarbagh Police Lines via Moghbazar crossing, Malibagh and Mouchak.

The third part goes from Mouchak-Shantinagar crossing to Rampura Road via Malibagh rail crossing, he said.

Vehicular access will be eased by 15 ramps — at Shat Rasta crossing and Rampura Road, and near FDC, Holy

Family Hospital, Eskaton, Witless Gate, Rajarbagh Police Lines and Shantinagar, he added.

Director of the flyover's construction project, Md Nazmul Alam, said the flyover, crossing eight road and two rail crossings, aims to reduce the huge traffic congestion at Shat Rasta, FDC, Moghbazar, Mouchak, Malibagh and Shantinagar intersections.

The flyover will be constructed in coordination with the 20-year Strategic Transport Plan, which aims at removing the ever-increasing traffic congestion in the capital, he said.

Piling works near Orchid Market at Outer Circular Road has already begun last week, said another LGED official.

The LGED is implementing the Tk 772.69 crore project, of which, the government is providing Tk 200.47 crore, Saudi Fund for Development Tk 375.24 crore and OPEC Fund For International Development Tk 196.98 crore.

The project was approved at an Executive Committee of National Economic Council meeting on March 8, 2012.

The LGED in 2005 carried out the project's Tk 3.5 crore-feasibility study, funded by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, said LGED sources.