Tunnel road to ease traffic surge

COLOMBO: With the ever increasing traffic flow in the city of Colombo, a proposal has been made for the construction of an underground road tunnel from Colombo Fort to the Sri Jayawardenepura to overcome the perennial traffic jams in the city.

This will be the first time that Sri Lanka would have an underground tunnel made to ease the congestion and it would be a novelty added to the road network.

Road Development Authority General Manager R.W.R. Premasiri told the Daily News that during the recent visit to Iran, Trade, Commerce and Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle had submitted a proposal to the Iranian Government for the renovation of the National Road Network covering 1,000 kilometres.

The proposal was submitted as the Iranian Government was willing to help Sri Lanka in developing the road network.

"In the proposal submitted, a suggestion was also made for the construction of an underground tunnel from Colombo Fort to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte.

They have agreed to assist the Sri Lankan Government in the construction of the underground tunnel from the Old Parliament to the Devi Balika junction culminating in an elevated road network. The distance of the tunnel would be around 12 kilometres from Colombo Fort," he said.

"The proposal is yet in the preliminary stages. A feasibility study has to be done and we are now talking this up with the Iranian Government to realise our proposal. The entire project will cost about US $ 500 million".

He said the Government of Iran has agreed to provide assistance and the material to renovate the national road network.

Premasiri said RDA was planning to have flyovers at Kohuwala, Nugegoda, Bambalapitiya, Sangaraja Mawatha, Borella cemetery area, Welikada junction, Kelaniya and Peliyagoda railway crossings.