OCH construction to be completed by 2013

Irangika Range

Construction of the Outer Circular Highway (OCH) and the expansion of the Southern Expressway from Galle to Matara will be completed by 2013, Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala told the Daily News.

He said 50 percent of the construction work of the first section from Kottawa to Kaduwela of the OCH has been completed and work will be commenced on the second stage from Kaduwela to Kadawata on February 18.

The length of the OCH, which goes to Kottawa and is meant to divert traffic from the Colombo City is 29.1 kilometres. It will be built in three stages, such as, Kottawa-Kaduwela, Kaduwela-Kadawata and Kadawata-Kerawalapitiya.

Rs.103 billion will be spent for construction activities.

It will connect expressways of Colombo-Katunayake, Colombo-Kandy and Southern to Katunayake.

The Southern Expressway will be extended up to Hambantota connecting the Mattala International Airport which is under construction.