By Randev Jayasinha
The Matara-Hambantota Southern Expressway extension which was scheduled to be opened to the public in January 2020 is now scheduled to be opened by October 2019.
In addition, this extension has also saved a total of Rs. 20 billion from the allocated budget of Rs. 242 billion.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Road Development Authority Chairman Nihal Sooriyarachchi stated that they are proud of the efficient and honest work ethics carried out throughout this project by those directly involved, and that they look forward to present this asset to the Sri Lankan people as soon as it’s completed.
Of the entire 96-km extension from Matara to Hambantota, which has been divided into four sections, two has already been completed up to 95% while the remaining sectors are guaranteed to be concluded by September, with the end product to be ready by October, stated Sooriyarachchi.
The four sections of the expressway, which were divided amongst three contractors, are as follows:
· Section One – Matara to Beliatta (30 km)
· Section Two – Beliatta to Wetiya (26 km)
· Section Three – Wetiya to Andarawewa (15 km)
· Section Four – Hambantota to Mattala via Andarawewa (25 km)
Sections Two and Three were undertaken by a single contractor while sections One and Four were given to two separate contractors.
Of the allocated budget, Rs. 103.3 billion would be spent for the first stage while Rs. 55.2 billion and Rs. 31.5 billion would be spent for the second and third stages, respectively. The fourth and final stage of the project was estimated to cost Rs.52.2 billion, of which a sum of Rs. 20 billion was retrenched.
“The excess money from this project will be used for government projects as well as expressway maintenance including the construction of service areas and the completion of access roads to the interexchange centers,” he stated.
The Matara-Hambantota Southern Expressway extension which was scheduled to be opened to the public in January 2020 is now scheduled to be opened by October 2019.
In addition, this extension has also saved a total of Rs. 20 billion from the allocated budget of Rs. 242 billion.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Road Development Authority Chairman Nihal Sooriyarachchi stated that they are proud of the efficient and honest work ethics carried out throughout this project by those directly involved, and that they look forward to present this asset to the Sri Lankan people as soon as it’s completed.
Of the entire 96-km extension from Matara to Hambantota, which has been divided into four sections, two has already been completed up to 95% while the remaining sectors are guaranteed to be concluded by September, with the end product to be ready by October, stated Sooriyarachchi.
The four sections of the expressway, which were divided amongst three contractors, are as follows:
· Section One – Matara to Beliatta (30 km)
· Section Two – Beliatta to Wetiya (26 km)
· Section Three – Wetiya to Andarawewa (15 km)
· Section Four – Hambantota to Mattala via Andarawewa (25 km)
Sections Two and Three were undertaken by a single contractor while sections One and Four were given to two separate contractors.
Of the allocated budget, Rs. 103.3 billion would be spent for the first stage while Rs. 55.2 billion and Rs. 31.5 billion would be spent for the second and third stages, respectively. The fourth and final stage of the project was estimated to cost Rs.52.2 billion, of which a sum of Rs. 20 billion was retrenched.
“The excess money from this project will be used for government projects as well as expressway maintenance including the construction of service areas and the completion of access roads to the interexchange centers,” he stated.