Water puddles hit transport on EO1

by Carol Aloysius

Motorists plying on the Southern Expressway are concerned over the danger of travelling on the 128- km road due to puddles that obstruct the smooth movement of vehicles.

"The purpose of the Expressway which is to limit travel time is lost due to water stagnating caused by the monsoon rains, forcing us to reduce speed . The authorities should take remedial measures," a regular motorist said on the grounds of anonymity.

Director, Expressway Operations Maintenance and Management Division, S. Opanayake told the Sunday Observer the puddles were due to the poor drainage system."We have already identified the areas which are most dangerous for motorists and are making arrangements to rectify them," he said.

"We have already requested our Design Unit to attend to the problem," he said. Some of the areas where the road has been constructed need soft ground treatment, he added.

He said ad hoc measures to rectify the problem would only worsen the situation. A survey will be done by the district office to rectify the problem.