One of Sri Lanka’s colossal infrastructure investment projects, the Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH) open September 2024. The highway will connect Sri Lanka’s economic centre, Colombo City, to the world by land, air and sea via the Colombo Port, the Port City and the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The 5.3-kilometre-long highway will be built on pillars, an undoubtedly remarkable feat.
The construction of the highway has managed to avoid any disruptions to the day-to-day activities of Colombo City and also the Colombo Port. The project utilising the latest technology is an amazing piece of architecture.
Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena recently visited the project site. He was also joined by a group of high-ranking Chinese representatives including Wong Shandong, Vice President of the Civil Engineering Construction Institute of China, which is in charge of the construction.
The estimated cost of the project at completion is set at US$ 360.2 million. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided US$ 300 million while the remaining US$ 60.2 million was provided by the Sri Lanka Government.
Since its commencement, the project has faced many obstacles including the Covid-19 pandemic and the severe economic crisis.
The latter led to the cost of materials skyrocketing and driving up the project cost as well. However, officials have managed to push forward with the project in spite of the many difficulties.
Pix by Sulochana Gamage
A journey of overcoming barriers – Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena
Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said: “The value of this highway is immeasurable. The importance of the City of Colombo will also increase with the project. It was constructed amidst many obstacles. Despite the highway running through the Colombo Port premises, the contractors have taken measures to ensure that no disruptions occur to the ongoing work at the Port.
Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the work did not stop and construction continued under strict health guidelines. The economic crisis dealt a death blow to the project with inflation soaring sky high. Importation of materials proved to be a serious issue. But we were able to manage the situation and continue with the work.
The estimated cost has risen. However, the causes are reasonable. We have been forced to spend more but we were not in a situation to obtain a loan around a year ago. Presently, we are confronted with the immense challenge of acquiring the additional funds required to propel this project forward.
To address this matter, a Cabinet Paper is being prepared for submission to the Cabinet, seeking the funds.
Moreover, efforts are underway to establish a committee through the Cabinet, entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the measures for the successful execution of this very important project.”
Colombo Port Access Highway’s project director Engineer K.W. Kandambi
The project is led by Civil Engineer K.W. Kandambi, a graduate of the University of Moratuwa. According to Kandambi, initially, the plan was to complete the project which commenced in September 2019 in three years.
“But within one and a half years we were only able to complete only seven percent of the project due to various reasons. That was the state in which the project was handed over to me. Since then within the next two years, we were able to complete 70 percent of the project. To achieve this we ensured we provided solutions to everyday problems fast without any delay,” he said.
“We are not carrying out the project in an environment where we can halt construction even for a day. We must ensure that the work does not disrupt the Colombo Port’s activities or the infrastructure already in place as it will have grave consequences,” he said.
Kandambi said the latest technology was used in the project. “The highway built on pillars will have four lanes. The speed limit will be 80 Kmph. The Ministry of Highways and the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Affairs jointly carried out all the ground measurements and planning preparations for the construction of the road.
The Road Development Authority (RDA) and the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) conducted other basic activities,” he said.
According to the project director, initially, while many Chinese engineers and workers were involved in the project, later more locals were trained and hired to do the job.
While the highway is expected to connect many important economic centres in Colombo, Kandambi said it will also ease traffic congestion in the City.
The project is also expected to draw in more investments in the country and boost the tourism sector.
Following its completion a highway of 3.2 kilometres will be constructed from the Galle Face Green to Kollupitiya, of which 2.3 kilometres will run underground, the first such underpass in the country. Plans to expand the Chaithya Road and the Galle Face Roundabout are also afoot.
According to Kandambi, the task was difficult as construction had to be done on at least 60 percent of land which already contained various forms of infrastructure. While the acquisition of land did not prove problematic as it was owned by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Kandambi said a new office complex will be built and gifted to the SLPA.
The Sri Lankan Government gave its full support – China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Vice-President Wong Shandong
Vice President of the Civil Engineering Construction Institute of China Wong Shandong said: “This project will certainly strengthen the long-standing friendship between Sri Lanka and China. We did not stop work even during the pandemic and ensured we carried out our duty as promised. There were many obstacles including financial difficulties as a result of rising costs. But we used top-notch technology in the construction process. We were able to work closely with the relevant subject Ministers despite the changes in Government and completed 70 percent of the project in the last few months.
The SLPA will also be granted a state-of-the-art office complex. This transformative initiative aims to establish an interconnected infrastructure network linking airports and investment zones across Sri Lanka. With its vision set on accelerating the future development of the nation, this project holds the potential to drive significant progress and growth in Sri Lanka.”