RDA to effect road improvements this year

by Ranil Wijayapala

The Road Development Authority will spend Rs. 120 billion in the year 2012 to implement major road rehabilitation and development projects, to bring about changes in the national road network, Chairman, Road Development Authority (RDA) R.W.R. Pemasiri told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

He said though there are no major projects planned for 2012, a major sections of Southern Expressway extension, Katunayake Expressway, Colombo Outer Circular Road are expected to be completed.

“One such major project will start on January 7 in Hanguranketha under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to commence work on the Kandy-Nuwara Eliya Road via Tennekumbura, Rikillagaskada and Ragala”, he said.

The project at a cost of Rs. 7 billion will be completed in 30 months improving the existing 54 Kilometre road from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya traversing ancient villages in the upcountry.

“The improvement of this road will enable the farmers living in the districts of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya to transport their crops to Colombo easily”, he added. The second phase of the Colombo Outer Circular Road is also scheduled to commence in 2012, from Kaduwela to Kerawalapitiya.