The 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. Construction on the highway began in October 2009, and it was opened on 27 October 2013, by former 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]
 | |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Interchange 4 → Ja-Ela Interchange 3 → Kerawalapitiya - connect with E02 Outer Circular Expressway Interchange 2 → Peliyagoda | |
| South end | New Kelani Bridge and Colombo. |
| Location | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Highway system | |
| |
The total cost of the project was 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, within 20 minutes. The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has also commenced a luxury bus service on the road, conducting services between Colombo and Negombo.
History
editThe 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 27 October 2013 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.[3]
Interchanges
editThis article contains a bulleted list or table of intersections which should be presented in a properly formatted junction table. (November 2021) |
- New Kelani Bridge Interchange
- Peliyagoda Interchange
- Kerawalapitiya Interchange (connect with E02 Outer Circular Expressway)
- Ja-Ela Interchange
- Katunayake Interchange[1]
Gallery
edit-
Birds-Eye Shot of CKE -
CKE at night -
CKE -
Colombo Katunayake Expressway declared open -
Display Sign on CKE -
Electronic Display Sign - CKE -
A road sign -
Elevated section of the CKE -
CKE under construction in 2012.
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d "The Salient Features of Colombo-Katunayake Expressway". Road Development Authority. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "VIDEO: President inspects Colombo-Katunayake expressway". Adaderana.lk. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Colombo-Katunayake Expressway declared open". Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. 27 October 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2013.
- ^ "Features | Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka". Sundayobserver.lk. 24 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ "Sri Lanka News | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". Dailynews.lk. 11 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ a b "Colombo- Katunayake Expressway: 80 percent work complete". Archived from the original on 18 March 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
External links
edit