The construction of the Kadawatha- Mirigama Section of the Central Expressway resumed today (17) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The event marking the launch took place at the Kadawatha interchange premises, which was also attended by Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake.
Although the second phase of this expressway, which began construction in 2016, has now been opened, the first phase has faced delays due to various reasons.
Construction of the 168.7-kilometre Central Expressway began in 2016 under a loan agreement of USD 989 million approved by the China Exim Bank. The project consists of four phases.
The first phase spans 37 kilometres from Kadawatha to Mirigama. The second phase includes 39.7 kilometres from Mirigama to Kurunegala and 9.1 kilometres from Mirigama to Ambepussa.
The third phase extends 32.5 kilometres from Potuhera to Galagedara, while the fourth phase covers 60.3 kilometres from Kurunegala to Dambulla.
Following the commencement of construction, the second phase, from Mirigama to Kurunegala, was opened to the public on January 15, 2022.
However, due to subsequent political instability, economic crisis, and a shortage of workers, construction on the first phase, from Kadawatha to Mirigama, was halted. This was primarily due to the suspension of funding by the China Exim Bank.
With approximately 20% of the work completed on the Kadawatha–Mirigama section, the China Exim Bank has now approved a new loan in yuan equivalent to USD 500 million to resume construction.
The Kadawatha–Mirigama section is scheduled to be completed and opened to the public by 2028. (Newswire)
