E03 expressway (Sri Lanka)

The total cost of the project was US $292 million. Exim Bank of China funded US$248.2 million of the total cost and the government of Sri Lanka spent US$45 million on the project.

The speed limit is 80 km/h (50 mph) for the first eight kilometres (5.0 mi) and 100 km/h (62 mph) for the rest of the road. The Expressway has 42 bridges and 88 culverts including a 480 metre long viaduct at Hunupitiya and an 800-metre viaduct at Katunayake. The opening of the highway has allowed people to travel between Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka, and Katunayake, the major international airport of Sri Lanka, within 15 minutes.

The E03 expressway links the capital Colombo with one of the major commercial hubs in the country and the major tourist destination, Negombo, within 20 minutes. The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has also commenced a luxury bus service on the road, conducting services between Colombo and Negombo.

History

The contract was awarded to China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) by the Government of Sri Lanka and the agreement was signed on 17 August 2008. The project loan agreements were signed on 6 August 2009 and the construction commenced on 18 August 2009. The expressway was opened on 27 October 2013 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.