Colombo-Katunayake Expressway :

Work expedited

Irangika Range

The Government has expedited construction on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway creating a high mobility link between Colombo and the Bandaranaike International Airport. This will enable motorists to travel to the Airport in 20 minutes.

Highways and Road Development Ministry spokesman told the Daily News that the expressway will be the first fee levying road project in the country which was commenced to fostering a greater economic development in Sri Lanka.

Work on the project which was launched nearly a decade ago came to a halt due to lack of funds. However, it is now taking place successfully under the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The length of the expressway would be around 25 kilometres starting from the New Kelani Bridge and ending at the Airport Access Road at Katunayake. The total estimated cost for the project is US$ 292 million.

The proposed Colombo-Katunayake Expressway will provide a high-speed road link between Colombo City and the Free Trade Zone and Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake.

The expressway, with four lane carriageways, will include five interchanges in new Kelani Bridge, Peliyagoda, Kerawalapitiya (connect with Outer Circular Highway), Ja-Ela and Katunayake.The expressway is expected to be completed in 39 months with financial assistances granted by the Chinese Government.

The commencement of construction of this long awaited project will provide a number of benefits to the people. The Expressway would be a gateway to accelerate infrastructure development in the area which is vital for the setting up of more business ventures while facilitating current business establishments in the area.

With the construction of the Expressway, the current travel time of the motorists who travel through the Peliyagoda-Puttalam (A3) Road is also expected to be reduced.