Sri Lanka’s first expressway to open shortly
by Melani Manel Perera
The new road will be inaugurated next Sunday. The 95-km motorway costs about US$ 600 million with funding provided by the Asian Development Bank and the Japan Bank of International Cooperation. The China Harbour Engineering Company built it. Three-wheel vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and tractors are banned. Speeding (100 km and more) will be punished with 5,000 rupee (US$ 40) fine.
Colombo (AsiaNews) –Sri Lanka is poised to inaugurate the country’s first expressway next Sunday in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The 95-km motorway will run the length of the western coast to the southern tip of the island nation. It comes with a US$ 600 million price tag, partly funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC). Construction was done by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). Not every vehicle will be allowed on the expressway. Now it will take only 55 minutes for Sri Lankans and foreign tourists to visit some of the countryside and green areas along the road.
The 95-km expressway includes eight interchanges at Kottawa, Kahathuduwa, Gelanigama, Dodangoda, Welipenna, Kurundugahahetekma, Baddegama and Pinnawa. At the Kottawa exit, drivers will pay between 400 and 2,000 rupees (between US$ 4 and 18 dollars) depending on the distance travelled and type of the vehicle.
The maximum speed limit will be 100 km per hour, and a minimum speed limit will be set within six months. Offenders could be fined up to 5,000 rupees (US$ 40). Three-wheel vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and tractors are banned.
CCT cameras will monitor the expressway. Special units have been trained to intervene in case of speed limit violations or accidents.
Because of the high maintenance cost (6 to 7 million rupees or US$ 54-64,000), lights have been installed only at the interchanges and not along the entire length of the road.
Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Asoka Wijethilake said the Police Department would for the first time provide rescue, fire and paramedic services.
Residents near the interchange will also receive guides prepared by the highway patrol with expressway information.
Last Saturday and Sunday, residents and tourists took part in sport and other activities associated with the opening of the new road.
The expressway authorities organised, among other things, cricket matches, elephant races, a volleyball tournament, cycling races and a marathon.
The 95-km expressway includes eight interchanges at Kottawa, Kahathuduwa, Gelanigama, Dodangoda, Welipenna, Kurundugahahetekma, Baddegama and Pinnawa. At the Kottawa exit, drivers will pay between 400 and 2,000 rupees (between US$ 4 and 18 dollars) depending on the distance travelled and type of the vehicle.
The maximum speed limit will be 100 km per hour, and a minimum speed limit will be set within six months. Offenders could be fined up to 5,000 rupees (US$ 40). Three-wheel vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and tractors are banned.
CCT cameras will monitor the expressway. Special units have been trained to intervene in case of speed limit violations or accidents.
Because of the high maintenance cost (6 to 7 million rupees or US$ 54-64,000), lights have been installed only at the interchanges and not along the entire length of the road.
Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Asoka Wijethilake said the Police Department would for the first time provide rescue, fire and paramedic services.
Residents near the interchange will also receive guides prepared by the highway patrol with expressway information.
Last Saturday and Sunday, residents and tourists took part in sport and other activities associated with the opening of the new road.
The expressway authorities organised, among other things, cricket matches, elephant races, a volleyball tournament, cycling races and a marathon.
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