Port Access Elevated Highway Project || PAEHP

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Port Access Elevated Highway Project

The proposed South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Port Access Elevated Highway (PAEH) Project will construct about 5.3 kilometers (km) of an elevated toll highway with related facilities between New Kelani Bridge (NKB) and Galle Face in central Colombo 1. It will provide a direct link to the city center and the port from Colombo – Katunayake Expressway (CKE) via NKB, and then extend the expressway network into the city.2 The project will help alleviate traffic congestion in the densely populated areas of Colombo, improve last-mile connectivity from the country’s expressway network to the international port in Colombo, provide better logistics services for freight operations, and facilitate regional trade. The estimated cost of the Project is Rs,28.002 Billion.The Project was commenced in 2019 and it is planned to be completed in 2023.

Scope of the Project

Scope of Work

Construction of elevated 4 - lanes highway from Ingurukade Junction (0+000 km) to Galle Face (5+270 km)
Construction of Aluthmawatha IC, Pettah IC, Port IC , Galle Face IC with access ramps and connecting roads
Widening/ Reinstatement of 4 - lane Port Access Road to 6 lanes
Widening/ Reinstatement of Port Internal Road where necessary, and maintenance of roads
Reinstatement of rail line and drainage system where affected by construction
Relocation of any utility services which affected
Demolition/ Removal of existing Building/ Structures
Demolition/ Removal of any other facilities required
Aesthetic design of Highway
Ancillary Works

Impact and Outcome

Impact and outcome of the Project

The project is aligned with the following impact: economic growth and regional trade and cooperation of the country facilitated. The project will have the following outcome: transport efficiency along the project road increased.

Output 1
Output 2
Output 3

Elevated toll highway and related infrastructure constructed, upgraded and installed. About 5.3 km of toll elevated highway between NKB and Galle Face with a ramp to the port and related facilities will be constructed and installed. An advanced toll collection system will be installed in due consideration of its expansion to the entire expressway network. About 1.4 km of the existing ground-level port access road will be upgraded from 4 lanes to 6 lanes. A maritime facilitation center will be constructed (i) to relocate and gather administrative and operational functions many of which are to be affected by the elevated highway construction; and (ii) to provide better services to port users.

Tolling operation capacity of expressways strengthened. An attached technical assistance (TA) will strengthen operation capacity of the expressway regarding toll rate policy and electronic toll collection (ETC) system. A consultant firm and individual consultants will be recruited to prepare deliverables under the TA.

Support for trade logistics facilitation provided. Another attached TA will enhance trade logistics facilitation by (i) preparing diagnostic studies, standard operating procedures, and action plan, and providing capacity building to improve risk management practices; (ii) undertaking a feasibility study for a new customs inspection facility to improve process flow and timeliness; and (iii) conducting a study on technical design and business case for an electronic cargo tracking system (ECTS) to monitor and facilitate cargo movement to and from the port.A consultant firm and individual consultants will be recruited and prepare deliverables under the TA.

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