Colombo–Katunayake Expressway shield
Colombo–Katunayake Expressway
Airport Expressway
The-Expressway at Ja-ela.jpg
Route information
Maintained by the Road Development Authority
Length25.8 km[1] (16.0 mi)
Existed27 October 2013 (2013-10-27)–present
HistoryOpened on 27 October 2013
Major junctions
North endBandaranaike International Airport and Negombo.
Major intersectionsInterchange 4 → Ja-Ela
Interchange 3 → Kerawalapitiya - connect with  E02  Outer Circular Expressway
Interchange 2 → Peliyagoda
South endNew Kelani Bridge and Colombo.
Location
CountrySri Lanka
Highway system
  • Roads in Sri Lanka

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]

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

The 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

  1. New Kelani Bridge Interchange
  2. Peliyagoda Interchange
  3. Kerawalapitiya Interchange (connect with  E02  Outer Circular Expressway)
  4. Ja-Ela Interchange
  5. Katunayake Interchange[1]

Toll Structure

The portion between New Kelani Bridge entrance (entry point from the City of Colombo) and Peliyagoda interchange is toll-free. Only the portion beyond Peliyagoda is operating as a toll road. Toll is to be paid at the Negombo toll-plaza when travelling direct from Peliyagoda, or when exiting at any toll-station mid-way.

ETC (Electronic toll collection) systems installed at all interchanges along the expressway.

  • Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) payment facility is available in all Toll Gates in Colombo-Katunayake Expressway.
  • ETC card will be issued at Customer Care Center located at Peliyagoda near to the Thorana Junction in Colombo-Kandy Road (A1).
  • Payment for the ETC shall be done by recharging an ETC account opened in Bank of Ceylon by any means such as cash, direct debit or e-banking.[7]

Small Vehicles

  1. Peliyagoda - Ja-Ela - LKR 200
  2. Ja-Ela - Katunayake - LKR 200
  3. Peliyagoda - Katunayake - LKR 300

Large Vehicles

  1. Peliyagoda - Ja-Ela - LKR 300
  2. Ja-Ela - Katunayake - LKR 300
  3. Peliyagoda - Katunayake - LKR 600

Bus fares of the Private luxury service

  1. Colombo - Katunayake - LKR 150 (Route No. 187 E-03)
  2. Colombo - Negombo - LKR 150 (Route No. 240 E-03)

Bus fares of the SLTB super luxury service

  1. Colombo - Katunayake - LKR 150 (Route No. 187 E-03)
  2. Colombo - Negombo - LKR 150 (Route No. 240 E-03)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Salient Features of Colombo-Katunayake Expressway". Road Development Authority. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  2. ↑ "VIDEO: President inspects Colombo-Katunayake expressway". Adaderana.lk. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 "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.
  4. ↑ "Features | Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka". Sundayobserver.lk. 24 June 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. 1 2 "Colombo- Katunayake Expressway: 80 percent work complete". Archived from the original on 18 March 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  7. ↑ "Expressway Operation Maintenance And Management Division Road Development Authority - Sri Lanka". exway. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
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