Construction of the Colombo Port Access Road has entered its final stages and is expected to be opened to the public before the end of this year, officials said.
The project is being implemented with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank, under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Road Development Authority. Construction work has continued steadily after delays caused by Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis.
The loan agreement for the project was signed on Jan. 17, 2019, followed by the signing of the construction contract on Sept. 10, 2019. Construction officially commenced on Sept. 27, 2019. Although the project was initially scheduled for completion in 2022, work was disrupted due to the country’s economic downturn, preventing the achievement of planned targets.
The original contract value of the project was Rs. 28,002.22 million. However, due to currency depreciation, revisions to port internal road designs and the absence of a fully estimated project scope at the initial stage, the revised contract value has increased to an estimated Rs. 68,000 million.
Under the project, a 5.27-kilometre elevated port access highway is being constructed, along with 4.14 kilometres of port access and internal port roads. The road will consist of four lanes, each measuring 3.5 metres in width.
The access road system will include four interchanges, identified as Interchanges 1, 2, 3 and 4. Entry and exit at Interchange 1 will be via Aluth Mawatha. At Interchange 2, entry will be from the Vimaladharma Roundabout, with exit via Abdul Cader Mawatha. Interchange 3 will provide both entry and exit through the port, while Interchange 4 will connect Galle Face and the Port City.
Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake visited the project site on Tuesday to inspect the current progress of construction, officials said. (Newswire)
