The Southern Transport Development Project financed by ADB and JICA is designed and constructed as an Access Controlled 4-lane divided highway from Kottawa to Matara (length 123 kms) and the section of the highway constructed under this project is the section from Kottawa to Kurundugahahetekma of length 66.0 kms. The main objectives of implementing this project are: (1) To ease traffic congestion on Colombo-Galle-Hambantota Road;
| Length | 66 km |
| Width | 4-Lane access controlled Highway |
| Design Speed | 100 km/hr |
| Structure | two major river bridges over Kaluganga and Bentara Ganga. The newly constructed Bridge over Bentara Ganga of length 695 m with 90m Long Span is the longest bridge in Sri Lanka. In addition to the major river bridges, there are 12 Minor river bridges, 27 Overpass bridges, 43 Underpass bridges for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, 63 Drainage Box Culverts. – Design Review and Construction Supervision |
The Expressway is designed for a design speed of 120 km / hr and consists of five interchanges, namely Kottawa, Kahatuduwa, Gelanigama, Dodangoda and Welipenne and two major river bridges over Kaluganga and Bentara Ganga. The newly constructed Bridge over Bentara Ganga of length 695 m is the longest bridge in Sri Lanka. In addition to the major river bridges, there are 12 Minor river bridges, 27 Overpass bridges, 43 Underpass bridges for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, 63 Drainage Box Culverts. Another special feature of this Expressway Project is the long stretches of poor sub-grade conditions which necessitated special soft ground treatment methods to be applied before the road embankment was constructed.Toll Plazas and Toll Gates were provided on all approaches and exits of the Interchange.
