National Road Master Plan (2007 – 2017) -Interview with Eng. R. M. Amarasekara, ADG Asset Development, RDA
National Road Master Plan - Credible blue-print for long-term road development in Sri Lanka
The national road network has evolved over more than one century. The beginnings of relatively modern paved roads date back to the late 19th century, when a system of trunk roads already provided basic spatial coverage for all major communities. At independence in 1948, Sri Lanka had about 11,000 km of trunk roads, of which 7,000 km were paved.
This was by and large the configuration and the size of the current network of main arteries known as the national highway network (NHN). On all major routes, road transport competed with a railway system, which at independence comprised 1,460 km and has remained at this level ever since. In contrast, the road network has increased to about 116,000 km, of which about 30,000 km are paved.
Objective of the National Road Master Plan
“To provide an adequate and efficient network of national highways, to ensure mobility and accessibility at an acceptable level of safety and comfort, in an environment friendly manner for the movement of people and goods in the socioeconomic development of the nation.”
Objective of the National Road Master Plan
Promote economic development of the country, by taking into consideration the immediate and future socio-economic development plans and policies of the Government;
Facilitate greater mobility, reduce travel times and costs, and improve accessibility;
Meet current and expected future transport needs, of both passenger and freight, and ensure efficient utilization of assets and investments;
Improve the quality of roads by using cost effective and innovative techniques of design, construction and maintenance with improved safety for the people;
Strike a balance between the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing assets and adding capacity through widening, improving, and new road construction;
Promote institutional development of the road administration;
Ensure protection of the environment and of social and cultural values; and
Develop the local road contracting industry.
Construction of Expressways and Widening of Highways
This component accounts for the highest share (36%) in the NRMP investment and involves six major projects with a length of 594 km and an estimated cost of RS 238.3 billion spread over the entire program period of the NRMP.
Widening of highways under the NRMP is the most significant component in terms of geographical coverage and, along with that, connectivity of people. The component includes 141 individual projects and involves a total of 4,900 km that will be improved to multi-lane standards, which for the majority of the roads means two lanes. The total cost of the widening component is estimated at Rs 215 billion, which makes it the second largest component in the NRMP (32%).
Reduction of Traffic Congestion
This component covers 112 improvements located mainly in towns and cities, where they will ensure a smoother flow of traffic and a lower incidence of accidents. The proposed measures include Improvement of junctions, provision of signaling systems at junctions, construction of by passes and flyovers, and grade-separated interchanges. The relatively small cost share of these projects in total NRMP investments (3.8%) belies their impact on providing relief to traffic congestion, avoidance of accidents, and contribution to the economic benefits attributable to the NRMP.
Because of their relatively low cost, the heavy urban traffic, and the high cost savings generated by the improvements, the proposed measures are generating the highest return on investments among all NRMP components.
