Tenders for Northern Expressway to be completed this year

Indika POLKOTUWA

The calling for tenders for the construction of Northern Expressway, which is the second Expressway in Sri Lanka, is to be completed within this year. The Northern Expressway would be constructed from Colombo to Jaffna.

The first phase of the project would cover the construction of 95 kms from Colombo to Kandy, and as estimated it would cost about USD one billion. These facts were revealed at the Kandy District Development Committee Meeting chaired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

It has been calculated that once the construction of the first phase is completed, it would only take one hour and 15 minutes' drive to reach Kandy from Colombo or vice versa. President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that plans have been made to carry out the construction of the Expressway.

The President stressed the Northern Expressway would be extended to the North without ending at Kandy as the Southern Expressway is being extended to Matara from Galle.

The President also stressed that superior cost effective development must be pursued, adding that this Expressway would help in that endeavour by providing easy access to Kurunegala and Kandy.

The Ports and Highways Ministry said the damage to property can be minimized since the Expressway is planned parallel to the railway line.

President Rajapaksa also said measures would be taken to develop the Kandy-Colombo main road while constructing the Expressway.

The President directed the Ports and Highways Ministry to expedite the construction of an alternative route in Kegalle which is being constructed to ease the traffic congestion in Kegalle town.

It was revealed that the first two phases of the this route have already been completed.