Construction on CKE commences this month

by Anura Maitipe

The construction of Colombo Katunayake Expressway (CKE) at a cost of USD 292.4 million will commence on May 20 with financial assistance from the Chinese Government, Road Development Authority Sources told the "Sunday Observer".

The new highway will consist of two ways. Each way will have three tracks. With the completion of the CKE passengers will be able to travel within 15 minutes from Katunayake to Colombo. The traffic congestion in Colombo Nigambo road will be greatly reduced, he added.

This project was earlier awarded to Keangnam Consortium on a turn key basis (design and build) in 2002. While 35 percent of construction work was in progress the previous UNF government suspended this project.

As a result of discontinuation of this project by the UNF government the state coffer has suffered a loss of Rs. 360 million.

The construction of the proposed Colombo Kandy highway will also commence shortly. The feasibility study of this project has already been done and the Malaysian government has agreed to finance.