Sri Lanka’s Southern Expressway extension opened for travel: RDA 

The Road Development Authority (RDA) of Sri Lanka announced that two more sections of the Southern Expressway (E01) will be opened for vehicular traffic.

A section of 21.8 kilometres (km) from Barawakumbuka to Mattala through Andarawewa and 16.6 km from Andarawewa to Hambantota have been completed, and are expected to be open for public travel.

Motorists travelling from Matara may enter the expressway from Barawakumbuka, and travel to Sooriyawewa, Hambantota, Mattala and Kataragama.

To facilitate commuter convenience, a 9.6 km section of the Outer Circular Expressway – from Kadawatha to Kerawalapitiya – is also scheduled to be opened.

Phase three of the E01 has been completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 31.6 billion while phase four would involve a projected cost of 52 billion rupees.

Construction of these roadways was undertaken in an eco-friendly manner, according to the RDA. It also announced that expressway tolls will be revised with the opening of the new sections.