• Precast concrete used for first time

By Yohan Perera 

Chief Government Whip, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday commenced the work on the construction of precast concrete sections of the Port Access Elevated Highway from Ingurukade Junction to the Colombo Port City. 

This highway is constructed using the precast concrete bridge technology for the first time in the country, the Ministry said in a release.
The travel time between Ingurukade junction and Fort, which takes about 45 minutes as of now, would be reduced to five minutes once the project is completed. The 5.3 km highway on pillars connects the New Kelani Bridge from Ingurukade junction, near the Kelanitissa Power Station, and extends onwards to the Colombo Port City. It is going to be a four-lane highway at a cost of Rs 28,002 million. 

The construction is to be carried out by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation under the supervision of the Road Development Authority and Ministry of Highways. The Port Access Elevated Highway has five on and off-ramp facilities to provide entrances at Ingurukade Junction, near Wimaladharma building at Pettah, Aluth Mawatha entrance, Galle Face entrance and the Port City Entrance. The project will help alleviate traffic congestion in Colombo’s densely populated areas, improve connectivity between the country’s expressway network and Colombo’s international port, and provide better logistics services for freight operations. This will facilitate regional trade according to the ministry.

In addition, a 17-storied Maritime Facilitation Centre is to be constructed outside the port boundary to substitute for those buildings demolished to make way for the elevated highway. It is to be conducted by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation in a land belonging to the SLPA with the financial assistance of the Asian Development Bank at a cost of Rs 4,099 million within 24 months.   

 
“This would help make services of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority offices, and other offices providing maritime services, would be housed in the new building. It has been envisaged to increase efficiency by an online network that would reduce the use of paper in the new centre,” Minister Fernando said.

Among those present at yesterday’s launching ceremony were Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure State Minister Nimal Lanza, Secretary to the Ministry of Highways R.W. R. Pemasiri, Project Director of the Port Access Elevated Highway project and other ministry officials.

• The project will help alleviate traffic congestion in Colombo’s densely populated areas, improve connectivity between the country’s expressway network and Colombo’s international port, and provide better logistics services for freight operations