Sri Lanka currently has over 271 kilometres (168 mi) of designated expressways serving the southern and central parts of the country. The first stage of the E01 Expressway (Southern Expressway), which opened in 2011 was Sri Lanka's first expressway spanning a distance of 95.3 kilometres (59.2 mi). The second stage of the Southern Expressway opened in 2014 and extends to Matara. The E03 Expressway (Colombo–Katunayake Expressway) opened in 2013 and connects Sri Lanka's largest city Colombo with the Bandaranaike International Airport covering a distance of 25.8 kilometres (16.0 mi). The newest expressway is the Port Access Elevated Highway running from New Kelani Bridge, Colombo to Athurugiriya, It is estimated to be finished in 2025. All E-Grade highways in Sri Lanka are access-controlled, toll roads with speeds limits in the range of 80–110 kilometres per hour (50–68 mph). Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, three wheelers and tractors are not permitted to enter the expressways.[1]
| Expressways in Sri Lanka | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Completed Under Construction
| |||
| System information | |||
| Length | 311.95 km (193.84 mi) | ||
| Formed | 27 November 2011 | ||
| Notes | Length by 2022 | ||
| Highway names | |||
| Expressways: | Expressway XX (E XX) | ||
| System links | |||
| |||
ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) systems are being installed presently. ETC Electronic Toll Collection systems are being installed on the Southern Expressway while the Colombo-Katunayeke Expressway system is functional.
Expressways of Sri Lanka
edit| Number | Name | Length (km) | Length (mi) | Northern end | Southern end | Completed | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E01 E01 | Southern Expressway | 200.45 | 124.55 | Kottawa, Colombo | Mattala | 2020 | Kottawa–Galle in 2011; Galle-Matara in 2014; Matara-Hambantota in 2020.[2] | |
| E02 E02 | Outer Circular Expressway | 28.8 | 17.9 | Kerawalapitiya | Kottawa, Colombo | 2019 | Kottawa–Kaduwela in 2014; Kaduwela–Kadawatha in 2015; Kadawatha-Kerawalapitiya in 2019[2] | |
| E03 E03 | Colombo-Katunayake Expressway | 25.8 | 16.0 | Bandaranaike International Airport | New Kelani Bridge, Colombo | 2013 | 5.3 km (3.3 mi) extension to Colombo Port City is under construction and is expected to be completed in 2022. New interchanges will be added at Ingurukade and Orugodawatta.[2] | |
| E04 E04 | Central Expressway (Section II) | 40.9 | 25.4 | Kurunegala | Mirigama | 2022 | Partial project completion in 2022[3] | |
| E04 E04 | Central Expressway (Section I, III & IV) | 137.1 | 85.2 | Dambulla | Kadawatha | — | Under construction. Stage 2 was opened in early 2022. Project completion up to Kandy in 2024[3] | |
| E06 E06 | Magampura Expressway | 16.5 | 10.3 | Andarawewa | Hambantota | 2019 | Completed in 2019[2] | |
| E09 E09 | Port Access Elevated Highway | 5.3 | 3.3 | New Kelani Bridge, Colombo | Port city | — | Under construction. Expected completion in September, 2024[4] | |
| Ruwanpura Expressway | 73.9 | 45.9 | Kahathuduwa | Pelmadulla | — | Under construction. Expected completion in 2023[5] | ||
| NKB-Athurugiriya Elevated Highway | 17.3 | 10.7 | New Kelani Bridge, Colombo | Athurugiriya | — | Under construction. Expected completion in 2025[6] | ||
| ||||||||
Gallery
editSouthern Expressway (E01)
edit-
Southern Expressway (E01) -
Southern Expressway toll plaza
_in_Sri_Lanka.jpg)
Katunayake (E03)
edit-
Katunayake Expressway (E03) -
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
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "EOM&M Division". www.exway.rda.gov.lk. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
- ^ a b c d "National Highways (Class A, B & E Roads)".
- ^ a b "Central Expressway".
- ^ "Port Access Elevated Highway project likely to be completed by October 24 2024".
- ^ "Ruwanpura Expressway Project".
- ^ "Elevated Highway Project (New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya)".
External links
edit
Media related to Expressways in Sri Lanka at Wikimedia Commons
