Extension of Southern expressway:

Survey of suitable lands underway

Irangika RANGE

A preliminary survey to acquire lands suitable for extending the Southern expressway from Matara to Hambantota is underway.

Ports and Highways Minister Nirmala Kothalawala said the country's first highway from Kottawa to Galle is expected to be extended upto Hambantota under the third phase of the project.

"Feasibility studies have already been completed and construction will commence on the two-lane extension soon," he said.

Kothalawala said negotiations were underway with prospective investors to start work on the extension of the Southern expressway.

The expected outcomes are increased economic opportunities and social services for residents through efficient road linkages with the capital city and other regions.

This will provide direct accessibility for social and economic activities in the Hambantota district which is becoming a commercial hub. The government had planned to open the stretch of the expressway between Galle and Colombo for motor traffic in September. However, the minister said that some minor work had to be completed along the road, and therefore, the opening will be delayed.

"Anyway, we will open the expressway before the end of this year," he said. With the opening of the road, the government plans to reduce the travel time from Colombo to Galle to one and half hours. It normally takes around three hours for a vehicle to reach Colombo from Galle.