Integration of public health into road projects in Sri Lanka: identifying barriers and enablers

Purpose This study aims to identify the key barriers and enablers within a developing country context (Sri Lanka) to tackle the public health impacts during road construction projects. The current impact assessment process of the country and the better ways of integrating public health impacts into the road construction projects are discussed in this study. Design/methodology/approach The first phase of empirical investigations on barriers and enablers to address public health impacts during road construction projects was conducted via expert interviews. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 academic and industry experts with at least two years of experience in road construction, public health and environmental management. Data collection for the case studies followed the initial expert interview guidelines to identify the barriers and enablers to integrating public health impacts and vulnerabilities during road construction projects. Multiple case studies were selected to better understand the barriers and enablers in Sri Lanka to consider public health during road construction projects. Four road construction projects in Sri Lanka were selected as the cases for this research. Findings This study identified four main categories of barriers and enablers, including knowledge, partnerships, management and the appraisal process. Research findings show that partnership, resource and management-related barriers are the most perceived issues in tackling public health in Sri Lankan road projects. Among them, the lack of institutional collaboration and funds and resources were frequently expressed as the main barriers to addressing public health during road construction projects. These findings provided lessons on the governance and policy framework regarding integrating public health impacts into road construction projects, including the potential to integrate health into other forms of impact assessment of road constructions, such as EIAs and SIAs. Research limitations/implications This study was limited to four case studies in Sri Lanka. The empirical evidence is limited to the expert’s opinion on a particular subject. Public health data was not gathered or analysed in this research. Practical implications These findings provided lessons on the governance and policy framework regarding integrating public health impacts into road construction projects, including the potential to integrate health into other forms of impact assessment of road constructions, such as EIAs and SIAs. They can also aid decision-makers and project managers in more comprehensive impact assessment and monitoring during road construction activities while mitigating public health impacts. Originality/value A lack of empirical evidence in the public health impacts and vulnerability literature in road construction and a shortage of public health impact assessment in the current EIA process in the global and Sri Lankan context highlighted the need for public health-related research in road construction projects. This study contributes to the theory by identifying key barriers and enablers during the construction process of road projects to tackle public health impacts.