Work on Northern Expressway to commence soon

The preparation work for the first phase of the proposed Northern Expressway from Colombo to Jaffna will begin soon, the Government announced last week.

The Cabinet has granted approval for the Government to obtain consultancy services to carry out the feasibility studies, environmental impact assessment and preparation of documents for the first phase of the proposed expressway. The proposed expressway connecting Colombo and Jaffna through Kurunegala, is 300 kilometres long and construction of the first phase is expected to cost one billion US dollars.

Phase 1 of the proposed expressway is to be constructed under three stages: Stage 1 of the project, the 42.5-km segment with four lanes, from Enderamulla to Meerigama, will be constructed initially. The Cabinet approved a proposal forwarded by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Minister of Ports and Highways, to award the contract for the consultancy services to carry out the initial studies for the contract price of US$ 4.2 million plus Rs. 414 million.