New Central Expressway section earns over Rs. 2.8 m in 12 hours of opening

Highways Minister Johnson Fernando yesterday said the Central Expressway second phase had earned over Rs. 2.8 million within the first 12 hours of opening.

“Income generated by the new section of the Central Expressway from 12 noon to midnight on Sunday was Rs. 2,805,100. A total of 13,583 vehicles had used the expressway from Kurunegala to Mirigama within the first 12 hours, while no accidents were reported,” the Minister said.

The second phase of Central Expressway, also known as ‘Ethugalpura Entrance’ from Mirigama to Kurunegala was declared open to the public on Saturday under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Motorists were allowed to use the newly opened 40.91 km stretch of the Central Expressway toll-free till Sunday afternoon, while the toll booths had been operational from 12 noon onwards.

Built at a cost of Rs. 149 billion by Sri Lankan contractors with locally sourced funds, avoiding townships and urban areas to minimise environmental and social contact. It was also said that the Meerigama to Kurunegala window was currently recognised as the most scenic expressway stretch in Sri Lanka.  

Five interchange points with toll booths have been constructed at Meerigama, Nakalagamuwa, Dambokka, Kurunegala and Yaggapitiya in the 40.91 km stretch.