E03 expressway (Sri Lanka)

 E03 
Colombo - Katunayake Expressway
Airport Expressway
Route information
Maintained by the Road Development Authority
Length: 25.8 km[1] (16.0 mi)
Existed: 27 October 2013 – present
History: Opened on 27 October 2013
Major junctions
North end: Bandaranaike International Airport and Negombo city
  Interchange 4 → Ja-Ela
Interchange 3 → Kerawalapitiya (Suspended at the moment) - connect with  E02  Colombo Outer Circular Expressway
Interchange 2 → Peliyagoda
South end: New Kelani Bridge and Colombo city
Highway system
Expressways of Sri Lanka

Colombo - Katunayake Expressway  E03  is Sri Lanka's second E Class highway.[1] The 25.8-kilometre-long (16.0 mi) highway links the Sri Lankan capital Colombo with Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake[2] and Negombo city. Construction on the highway began in October 2009, and it was opened on the 27th October 2013, by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.[3] The highway has three lanes each way from Colombo to Peliyagoda, and two lanes each way from Peliyagoda to Katunayake, with the width ranging from 26 to 33.5 metres (85 to 110 ft).[4]

The total cost of the project is US $292 million. Exim Bank of China funded US$248.2 million of the total cost and the government of Sri Lanka spent US$45 million on the project.[5]

The speed limit is 80 km/h (50 mph) for the first eight kilometres (5.0 mi) and 100 km/h (62 mph) for the rest of the road.[1] The Expressway has 42 bridges and 88 culverts including a 480 metre long viaduct at Hunupitiya and an 800 metre viaduct at Katunayake.[6] The opening of the highway has allowed people to travel between Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and Katunayake, the major international airport of Sri Lanka, within 15 minutes.

The E03 expressway links the capital Colombo with one of the major commercial hubs in the country and the major tourist destination Negombo city, within 20 minutes. Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has also commenced a luxury bus service on the road, conducting services between Colombo - Negombo.

History

The contract was awarded to China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) by the Government of Sri Lanka and the agreement was signed on 17 August 2008. The project loan agreements were signed on 6 August 2009 and the construction commenced on 18 August 2009.[6] The expressway was opened on the 27th October 2013 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.[3]

Interchanges

  1. New Kelani Bridge Interchange
  2. Peliyagoda Interchange
  3. Kerawalapitiya Interchange (not open at the moment) (connect with  E02  Colombo Outer Circular Expressway)
  4. Ja-Ela Interchange
  5. Katunayake Interchange[1]

Toll Structure

The portion between New Kelani Bridge entrance (entry point from the City of Colombo) and Peliyagoda interchange is toll-free. Only the portion beyond Peliyagoda is operating as a toll road. Toll is to be paid at the Negombo toll-plaza when travelling direct from Peliyagoda, or when exiting at any toll-station mid-way.

ETC (Electronic toll collection) systems are being installed at major interchanges along the expressway. These are due to be commissioned by end 2014 or 1Q 2015. Till such time payment is to be made by cash-only.

Small Vehicles

  1. Peliyagoda - Ja-Ela - LKR 200
  2. Ja-Ela - Katunayake - LKR 200
  3. Peliyagoda - Katunayake - LKR 300

Large Vehicles

  1. Peliyagoda - Ja-Ela - LKR 300
  2. Ja-Ela - Katunayake - LKR 300
  3. Peliyagoda - Katunayake - LKR 600

Bus fares of the Private luxury service

  1. Colombo - Katunayake - LKR 120 (Route No. 187 E-03)
  2. Colombo - Negombo - LKR 120 (Route No. 240 E-03)
  3. Colombo - Chilaw - LKR 210 (Route No. 04 E-03)

Bus fares of the SLTB super luxury service

  1. Colombo - Katunayake - LKR 120 (Route No. 187 E-03)
  2. Colombo - Negombo - LKR 120 (Route No. 240 E-03)

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "The Salient Features of Colombo-Katunayake Expressway". Road Development Authority. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  2. ↑ "VIDEO: President inspects Colombo-Katunayake expressway". Adaderana.lk. 2012-08-16. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Colombo-Katunayake Expressway declared open". Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. 2013-10-27. Retrieved 2013-10-27.
  4. ↑ "Features | Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka". Sundayobserver.lk. 2012-06-24. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
  5. ↑ "Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". Dailynews.lk. 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2012-10-22.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.dailynews.lk/2013/03/16/news14.asp

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Colombo-Katunayake Expressway.