Road transport accounts for about 93% of the land transport
in Sri Lanka. As of February, 2016, there are 12,210.36 km of A class and B
class roads and 170 km of expressways. The Colombo – Matara expressway is a 126
km long motorway, linking Colombo, Galle, and Matara. The Colombo-Katunayake
expressway is Sri Lanka’s second express highway, which links Colombo with
Bandaranaike International Airport,Katunayake and Negambo city.
The road network of Sri Lanka comprises National Highways
(Expressways and A & B class roads), provincial roads (C & E class
roads), unclassified local authority roads and other roads, including those
maintained by state sector agencies. National Highways cater to more than 80
per cent of traffic in Sri Lanka. During the year 2015, the total length of the
roads maintained by the Road Development Authority (RDA), the key agency
implementing road projects and maintaining of expressways, highways and
bridges, was 12,380 kms.
The Colombo Outer Circular Expressway (also known as the
Outer Circular Highway, Colombo Inter-provincial Orbital Router or the Arthur
C. Clarke Expressway) is a highway in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was opened in
sections. The latest section between Kaduwela and Kadawatha was opened on 17
September 2015. The 29 km long outer circular road network links the Colombo –
Matara expressway with Colombo – Katunayake expressway and the proposed Colombo
- Kandy expressway and will provide an orbital beltway to bypass the city of
Colombo and reduce traffic congestion.
The road density is highest in the southwest, especially in
the area around Colombo. Highways are in good condition, with a smooth bitumen surface and road markings. The road network is at its
densest around Colombo and its suburbs. Some rural roads are in poor condition.
The roads that are most widely used across the country are being upgraded and
repaved. In many rural areas, public transport is widely available, even in
areas where operation is unprofitable.
The Road transport network is divided in A, B, C and E class
roads.
|
Class
|
Description
|
Speed Limit
|
|
E Class roads
|
These roads are high
speed, High traffic corridors, they duplicate A class routes that are having
difficulty coping with the traffic volume.
|
100kmph
|
|
A Class Roads
|
The national highway
network.
|
70kmph
|
|
B Class Roads
|
Major provincial
roads and used as feeder roads for A and E class roads.
|
60kmph
|
|
C Class Roads
|
Local residential
Roads.
|
50kmph
|
Expressways in Sri
Lanka
|
Expressway Number
|
Name
|
Start
|
End
|
Length (km)
|
Lanes
|
Status
|
|
E01
|
Colombo–Matara
Expressway
|
Kottawa
|
Matara
|
126
|
4
(provision for 6)
|
In
use
|
|
E02
|
Outer
Circular Expressway
|
Kottawa
|
Kerawalapitiya
|
29
|
6
|
Under
Construction
|
|
E03
|
Colombo–Katunayake
Expressway
|
New
Kelani Bridge
|
Katunayake
|
25.8
|
6,4
(provision for 6)
|
In
use
|
|
E04
|
Colombo–Kandy
Expressway
|
Kadawatha
|
Katugastota
|
98.9
|
4,6
|
Under
Construction
|