Rajagiriya over-pass slashes time between economic and political capitals :

Faster twin-city commuting

by Anurangi Singh

The Rajagiriya road overpass now under construction will bring the twin cities of Colombo and Sri Jayavardhanapura closer. The 4-lane overpass will enable fast commuting between the old commercial capital, Colombo and the rapidly-growing political capital, Sri Jayavardhanapura by 2018.

Phase 1 of the overpass construction, with a length of 533 metres, has commenced work along the A0 road between Colombo and Sri JAyavardhanapura at the Rajagiriya/Welikada junction, and will be concluded by December 2018.Explaining the project, the RDA official involved with the project said that under Phase 1 of the project, two lanes from Sri Jayavardhanapura towards Kollupitiya will be constructed over the Rajagiriya/Welikada junction.

Under Phase 2, the traffic lanes from Kollupitiya towards Sri Jayavardhanapura will be completed by December 2017. The over-pass will thus hold two lanes both ways, totalling four lanes.The current traffic volume during peak hours exceeding a hundred thousand vehicles a day, at the traffic speed of 2.5 to 3 kilometres per hour is expected to increase to 20 kilometres per hour, when the over-pass is fully constructed and is in use.

Once completed it is expected that 60 percent of the active traffic will flow through the over-pass.The Road Development Authority believes, this project would reduce the traffic congestion now prevalent at Sri Jayawardenapura Mawatha, by reducing the conflict between the main flows at the Rajagiriya junction among other objectives, such as, curtailing fuel wastage and road traffic accidents. Accordingly, traffic time will be cut down in half.

The other benefits expected from the project include, socio economic development, easing traffic congestion, reducing the travel time of road users and vehicle operating costs, increase of road safety and reducing air pollution.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Welikada Police OIC said that parallel lanes have been made available: "Parallel lanes on both sides of the construction site have been made, from the police station to President's College in Rajagiriya. On the Battaramulla side another lane has been allocated for vehicles that enter Colombo. But, we urge the public to take alternative routes and avoid the traffic during the period of construction, whenever possible," he said.Although the duration of construction for both, Phase 1 and 2, is estimated as two years, i.e. to be completed by December 2018, the Road Development Authority believes the project could be completed much sooner.

Funding for this construction is through a concessionary loan given by Spain, of which only 30% needs to be repaid at an interest rate of 1.85% within a period of 13 years.