New traffic lane to be constructed at the Ja-Ela Colombo-Katunayake Expressway interchange

Cabinet approval has been granted to construct an additional traffic lane near the Ja-Ela interchange along the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway at a cost of Rs 285.4 million.

Traffic congestion is being observed at two existing lanes near the interchange due to the high number of vehicles during peak hours, a cabinet paper submitted by the Highways & Road Development Ministry stated.

Each of the two lanes are currently used to collect expressway tolls manually and electronically respectively, the proposal noted adding that the existing lanes are also being used as entry and exit lanes to the Ja-ela interchange.

Previously, cabinet approval had been granted to construct two traffic lanes which were expected to be used as and entry and exit points respectively.

Accordingly, the tender to construct one such lane has been handed over to R.R. Contractors (Pvt) Ltd. upon approval by the cabinet procurement committee.

This lane would comprise a Manual Toll Collection point and would be set-up for vehicles which are heading towards the Southern region via the Ja-ela interchange.