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by Ranil Wijayapala

The Ragama flyover

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has embarked on four major highway projects investing more than Rupees 44.4 billion to improve the quality of roads by using cost effective and innovative techniques of design, construction, maintenance and rehabilitation.

The completion of these highway projects by the year 2005 will directly benefit the entire population and will give a boost to investment opportunities within the next few years.

Highways and Muslim Affairs Minister A. H. M. Fowzie told the Daily News yesterday that apart from these major highway projects the RDA will also launch two projects within Colombo to facilitate the smooth flow of traffic.

The RDA will commence work on improving the D. R. Wijewardane Mawatha by lifting the road in to higher elevation to avert frequent flooding. This is estimated to cost Rs. 146 million funded by the Asian Development Bank. Layard's Broadway in Mattakkuliya will also be carpeted at a cost of Rs. 124 million, the Minister added.

The construction of the second phase of the Baseline road extension project is progressing rapidly and scheduled for completion next year.

Phase two of the project includes the upgrading of 3.6 kilo metres from Borella Kanatta junction to Highlevel road.

The entire project costs Rs. 4.6 billion and is funded by the Japan Bank for International Corporation.

The Minister said the construction of the Rs. 21.3 billion Southern Highway will also commence soon since land acquisition has already been completed.

The project aims to promote socio economic development in the South and to reduce traffic congestion, travel time,vehicle operating costs and accidents.

The RDA had already embarked on Rs. 11.5 billion Colombo - Katunayaka Expressway with Government funds to establish a high speed link between Colombo and Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport and the BOI's Investment Promoton Zone with a new 24 Km dual three-lane expressway.

The construction of Rs. 7 Billion Outer Circular road project will also be launched connecting the major highways - Southern Highway, Galle road, Highlevel road, Kandy road and the Katunayaka expressway, he said.

During the last five years the RDA had invested Rs. 36 billion on road rehabilitation of the road network and replacement of bridges, countrywide.

This included the widening of the Sri Lanka Japan Friendship Bridge to six lanes at a cost of Rs. 1250 million which was completed last year giving greater relief to motorists.

The RDA also completed the rehabilitation and construction of 28 bridges in five provinces at a cost of Rs. 800 million funded by the Kuwaiti Fund.

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