ADB funds to rehabilitate access roads to Southern Expressway

The government has been able to obtain financial assistance of Rs 9,348.61 mn (USD 85.0 mn) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to rehabilitate roads connecting the Southern Expressway (SE). The total estimated cost for rehabilitation of the roads is Rs 11,613 mn (USD 105.6 mn). Six access roads to SE are expected to be rehabilitated under the above project.

These rehabilitation works are crucial to improve the connectivity of roads and to realize the full potential benefits from the SE. The government contribution to investment will be Rs 2,265,42 million (USD 20.6 million) while the balance will be obtained as a loan from ADB's Ordinary Capital Resources (OCR).

The rehabilitation work of the identified road sections will be carried out under the second phase of the ongoing National Highway Sector Project (NHSP) which was commenced in 2007 to rehabilitate 270 kms national highways and improving the transport sector regulatory framework.

Under the second phase of National Highways Sector Project 62 kms of national highway road sections on Matara-Akuressa (3.40 km), Hikkaduwa - Baddagana (14.34 km), Horana - Anguruwatota - Aluthgama (23.48 km), Katukurunda - Naboda (2.72 km), Kirulapona - Godagama (5.33 km) and Colombo - Horana (12.7 km) are planned to be rehabilitated. These selected 6 road sections usually experience high traffic volume. Therefore, the rehabilitation of these 6 road section will facilitate easier access to the new expressway while improving the transport efficiency of the national highways network.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) under the supervision of Ports and Highways Ministry will perform as the project implementing agency. The project is expected to be completed by 30th June 2016. A loan agreement was signed in this connection by the secretary, Ministry of Finance & Planning on behalf of the Government and the ADB Country Director on behalf of the Asian Development at the Ministry of Finance & Planning.