Loan facility packages have been secured that will help finance an important elevated expressway project as well as bridge works in Bangladesh. The US$1.3 billion loan is being supplied by the Chinese EXIM Bank, which signed the arrangement with the Economic Relations Division (ERD) of Bangladesh.

The feasibility study for the expressway was carried out by a joint venture comprising SMEC International DevConsultants and ACE Consultants (SDAJV), with SMEC acting as lead consultant.

The DAEE links with the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, which is also being built at present. Building the DAEE includes the construction of two separate flyovers at Nabinagar and Chandra.

Construction work on the DAEE route should be complete by mid-2026 and the new link will improve access to and from Dhaka’s international airport, as well as helping to cut congestion in the city itself.

Meanwhile, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is supplying a loan of $260 million to the Bangladesh Government. The finance package will be used for the Kewatkhali Bridge project located in Mymensingh. Construction work includes building a 6.2km highway stretch, a 780m approach bridge a 551m overpass and a 240m railway overpass. The tolled highway will feature two lanes in either direction.