Opening of Southern Expressway extension to Matara on 31 January
Monday, 30 December 2013 01:20
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The extension of the Southern Expressway from Galle to Godagama in Matara will be declared open on 31 January, the Ministry of Highways, Ports and Shipping announced.
The four-lane 35-kilometre extension of Sri Lanka’s first ever expressway was constructed at a cost of $ 180 million with the funds from EXIM Bank of China.
The Segment will have two interchanges at Wathawana area in Galle Deniyaya Road and in Kokmaduwa along the Weligama-Kananke Road.
According to the Secretary to the Ministry of Highways, Ports and Shipping Ranjith Premasiri the expressway will be extended further from Matara to Hambantota connecting Mattala International Airport to Colombo.
Construction of the 75-kilometre segment from Matara- Godagama to Hambantota Harbour via Beliatta, Andarawewa, and Mattala will commence next month, the official said. The project is estimated to be completed in four years.
Meanwhile, the 11-kilometre Kottawa-Kaduwela section of the Outer Circular Highway (OCH) to the capital Colombo will be declared open in February, Premasiri said.
The construction of the 8.9-kilometre segment from Kaduwela to Kadawata is now being completed and this segment will also be declared open next year, he said. The construction work of the 9.3-kilometre Kadawata to Kerawalapitiya segment will be started shortly.
Once completed, the OCH will connect the Southern and proposed Northern Expressways to provide unrestricted high-speed traffic movement from north to south.
