Govt. approves elevated highways

A US$ 2 million feasibility study on four elevated highways has been given approval by the Cabinet.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told media that US$ 2 million unutilised assets of a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been earmarked for this process. Egis Bceom International, a French company, will provide the consultancy services for the feasibility study. A Cabinet approved procurement committee and a Technical Evaluation Committee has also been approved by the cabinet to evaluate proposals to be submitted to the French company. ADB has also given approval for the venture.

In order to ease traffic congestion in the Colombo metropolitan area and to provide access to Southern Expressway, the Outer Circular Highway and Colombo-Katunayake Expressway is one project that is being considered.

The next elevated highway is being planned from Kirulapone to Kadawatha (approximately 19 km) which will connect Outer Circular Highway at Kadawatha and Colombo-Katunayake Expressway at Peliyagoda.

The third will span from Colombo Fort to Kottawa (approximately 21 km) which will connect Southern Expressway and Outer Circular Highway at Kottawa. Finally, a Colombo Fort to Peliyagoda interchange on Colombo-Katunayake Expressway (approximately five km).

In addition to the French company, it was also decided that the engineering faculties of local universities should be requested to undertake the task of providing consultancy services for the purpose, in the first instance.

“The rapidly-increasing number of vehicles has caused serious traffic issues, for which the Government has to find solutions. Since the roads on the ground have been expanded as much as possible in these areas it would cost the Government a lot of money to take over land. Therefore the elevated highways have been decided on,” the Minister said.