Toll, based on type of vehicle

Irangika RANGE

The toll levied on vehicles plying on the Southern expressway would be determined on the basis of the type of vehicle, class and the total distance driven by vehicles.

Vehicles would be allowed to enter or exit the expressway only through interchanges.

Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala said that the payment counters of the entry points from Pinnaduwa to Kottawa are being constructed.

The 126-kilometre expressway comprises 11 entry points.

He said that tolls would be collected manually and tickets issued. These centers would be operated 24 hours a day. He said the tickets would be issued for vehicles at entry points, while road users would have to pay the toll fees at the exit points of the expressway.

Toll charges will be levied under four segments for all vehicles.

Cars, vans and jeeps will come under the first category for which Rs. 400 will be levied from Pinnaduwa to Kottawa. Buses and lorries which fall under the second category will be charged a fee of Rs. 700.

Heavy vehicles with 10 wheels will come under the third category for which a toll charge of Rs. 1,500 will be made. Under the fourth category which includes heavy vehicles with over 10 wheels will be levied a toll charge of Rs. 2,000.

Vehicle owners are to be notified on the standards required by the vehicles to be on the expressway.

It was also decided to make it compulsory for all road users to wear seat belts.

The deputy minister said that the expressway should not be opened until it is completed up to acceptable standards and only after ensuring the safety of passengers.

He said that the maximum speed for the vehicles travelling on the highway would be 100kmph.

"The new highway will only take an hour to travel from Kottawa to Galle.

This will save two hours of travel time from the previous three hour travelling from Colombo to Galle," he said.

Authorities have decided to restrict access to slow moving vehicles such as, three-wheelers, motorcycles and tractors which cannot maintain the speed limit on the highway.

The first fueling point and the resting place are being constructed at Dodangoda in the Kalutara district. Arrangements are being made to open a section of the expressway from Kottawa in Colombo district to Pinnaduwa in Galle district as early as possible. Construction on the highway began in 2006 at a cost of $800 million.

The Asian Development Bank, Exim Bank of China and the Japan International Cooperation Agency are providing financial assistance for the express highway project.