ST-1

Flying to the airport

By Harry Jayachandra

The wait may seem like an eternity. But it will be worth it. Come 2010 one can get from Colombo to Katunayake in 20 to 25 minutes even at peak time. Of course there will be cost involved. But the amount has not been decided. Yes, the long awaited construction of the super highway from Colombo to Katunayke is set to begin by the end of July.

ST-1 spoke to the chairman of the Road Development Authority M. B.S. Fernando and this is what he had to say. "We have signed the contract but not the agreement with the Chinese authorities as yet.

Once that is done construction will begin. The length of the highway will be 25.2 kms long"

When asked as to why it would take so long to construct just over 25kms, he replied; "One has to take into consideration the fact that some parts of this road has to be built on marshy land. Therefore we have to dredge sand from off shore, filter it and then use it on the marshy stretches. Then there are also bridges that need to be built. In a nutshell it is a tricky highway to build."

The Colombo end of the super highway will be connected to the existing New Kelani Bridge whilst Katunayke end will be connected to the approach road to the Airport. Fernando added that there would be five interchanges.

In laymen terms, that means where one can get off the super highway and on to the existing road. The interchanges will be at the start of the super highway, Katunayake, Peliyagoda, Kerawelapitiya and Ja ela.

The four lane Super highway can be used by all except for those who ride bicycles and mopeds.

It obviously seems a long time. But can at least take comfort from knowing that in four years one does not need to spend two hours stuck behind some container and wondering whether one will make it to the airport in time - be it fly out or pick up loved ones.

Back to ST1