Colombo Outer Circular Highway construction starts today

18 February 2012 05:55 am

The Ministry of Highways will commence construction of the second phase of the Colombo Outer Circular Highway at an estimated cost of a staggering Rs.44.8 billion from Kaduwela to Kadawatha today, the Ministry said.

The construction of the road would take place under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who holds the Highways Ministry portfolio.

The construction of the 8.9 kilometre road is the second phase of the three-part road project which is 29.1 kilometres long. The Colombo Outer Circular Highway extends from Kottawa through the Homagama, Kuduwela, Biyagama, Mahara and Wattala divisional secretariat areas up to Kerawalapitiya.

Ministry sources said the Colombo Outer Circular Highway will directly connect to the proposed Colombo-Kandy expressway at Kadawatha as well as the Colombo-Katunayake expressway at Kerawalapitiya.

The first phase of the Colombo Outer Circular Highway from Kottawa to Kaduwela which will be 11 kilometres, is estimated to cost Rs.24.9 billion.

The Colombo Outer-Circular Highway will avoid road traffic congestion and create more convenience for the people travelling outside Colombo city limits as they would use the alternate routes instead, sources said. (Olindhi Jayasundere)