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
System information
Length311.95 km (193.84 mi)
Formed27 November 2011 (2011-11-27)
NotesLength by 2022
Highway names
Expressways:Expressway XX (E XX)
System links
  • Roads in Sri Lanka

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]
  •       Proposed and unbuilt

Gallery edit

Southern Expressway (E01) edit

Katunayake (E03) edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "EOM&M Division". www.exway.rda.gov.lk. Retrieved 2017-05-13.
  2. ^ a b c d "National Highways (Class A, B & E Roads)".
  3. ^ a b "Central Expressway".
  4. ^ "Port Access Elevated Highway project likely to be completed by September 2024".
  5. ^ "Ruwanpura Expressway Project".
  6. ^ "Elevated Highway Project (New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya)".

External links edit