VIDEO: President opens Colombo-Katunayake Expressway
October 27, 2013 09:53 am
Sri Lanka’s second expressway, the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway (CKE) has been declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaska a short while ago.
It allows motorists to travel to the island’s capital in 20 minutes from the airport instead of the regular two hours duration in the past.
The link between the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake and the capital Colombo with enhanced safety is designed to boost the country’s economy in addition to providing pleasant travel for road users.
The 25.8 km long CKE is a four-lane user-fee levying highway with a designed top speed of 100 kmph. It consists of three interchanges, namely Peliyagoda, Jaela and Katunayake. It connects the CKE to the Outer Circular Highway (OCH) at Kerawalapitiya junction.
The expressway has been constructed according to international standards to ensure the safety of road users and emphasis has been given to increase the mental and physical comfort of passengers and drivers, according to the Road Development Authority.
The Ministry of Highways has announced the toll fee for vehicles using the CKE from Peliyagoda to Katunayake, indicating that the toll fee for cars, cabs, jeeps, and small vans will be Rs300, while the total toll fees for lorries and buses will be Rs600.
The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) is to commence Luxury Bus Service on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway from Monday (October 28).
The Road Development Authority (RDA) said the expressway will be open for public form 6pm today (27).
