47182-001 - Southern Road Connectivity Project

ADB and the Government of Sri Lanka are working together to help people and freight move more easily and efficiently between the country's southern region and the commercial capital of Colombo. The Southern Road Connectivity Project is supporting the government's plans for an integrated road network that will accelerate economic growth, improve safety, and reduce travel time and cost. The project is supporting the improvement of 33.5 kilometers of national highways that link to three interchanges on the Southern Expressway. The project is also helping Sri Lanka's Road Development Authority develop a long-term expressway plan, carry out a feasibility study for 250 kilometers of national highways, and undertake detailed engineering for about 200 kilometers of national highways. About 1.1 million residents in the immediate area are expected to benefit from the project as well as another 4.6 million more living in the Colombo, Kalutara, and Galle districts served by the Southern Expressway.