Jan 26, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government will undertake a project to construct a fly-over to bypass the busy Maho Junction rail crossing in the North Western Province to avoid frequent traffic blocks.

Maho Junction is where the main line from Colombo branches off to the Batticaloa in East and Jaffna in the North and the Nikaweratiya -Moragollagama Road crosses the main railway line leading to Northern, North Central and Eastern Provinces in Maho town.

Due to the frequent gate closure of the Maho level crossing across the main road heavy traffic on the Nikaweratiya -Moragollagama Road gets blocked experiencing long delays.

According to Sri Lanka Railways officials about 50 trains pass through the junction daily.

Construction of a fly-over to bypass the rail line was proposed by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Ports and Highways and the Cabinet has given its approval to proceed with the initial activities relating to the project.