The Central Expressway project is being done in four stages and will be completed by end of 2019, said Minister of Higher Educationa and Highways Lakshman Kiriella.
According to the Minister, for the first time in Sri Lanka the second stage which is 39.3 kilometers from Mirigama to Kurunegala will be constructed by local contractors. The first stage consisting of 37.3 kms from Kadawatha to Mirigama will be constructed by a Chinese firm while the third stage consisting of 34.1 Km from Pothuhera to Galagedara will be constructed by a Japanese company and is funded by Tokyo Mitsubishi Bank and is awaiting Request for proposals. Section four consisting of 63.8 kilometers will be constructed by a Chinese company.
Negotiations for the third and fourth stages are going on.
The Road Development Authority has already measured 20,000 lands acquired them and paid compensation and work on the stage one has already begun. There will be 14 interchanges.