Express-Way Updates

[Le Sabre]

Havent heard much news on the southern expressway, colombo-katu , colombo -kandy and outer circular road projects.

Anybody has any updates on these projects so far.

Edited July 7, 2010 by Le Sabre

[Gyiman]

It's actually a good idea to allow heavy vehicles on expressways. Development of a country like Sri Lanka depends heavily on road transport of goods, because our railway system is cr*p, we don't have stable internal waterways and air freight is virtually non-existent.

By all means, cargo should be allowed on the expressways. BUT the drivers should be trained and certified for expressway driving and heavy vehicles should be inspected prior to letting in to E01. Hope this happens before the first pile-up on the E01.

Agreed, but the lanes are not wide enough. They should have had 3 lanes to allow heavy vehicles to run on, people find it hard to overtake them on the Colombo-Negombo road as it is. Moreover these vehicles should not be traveling at 100kmph+, & some of them are in pretty bad state & don;t even have working indicators or brake lights so they should be checking their road worthiness prior before being allowed on, which is highly unlikely. The idea of a 40ft container fishtailing at high speed or not being able to slow down in a hurry doesn't sound too appealing. They should be allowed on, but to run at slower speeds. This would still make the journey faster than the normal routes as the speed would be constant.

[Simplelife]

Agreed, but the lanes are not wide enough. They should have had 3 lanes to allow heavy vehicles to run on, people find it hard to overtake them on the Colombo-Negombo road as it is. Moreover these vehicles should not be traveling at 100kmph+, & some of them are in pretty bad state & don;t even have working indicators or brake lights so they should be checking their road worthiness prior before being allowed on, which is highly unlikely. The idea of a 40ft container fishtailing at high speed or not being able to slow down in a hurry doesn't sound too appealing. They should be allowed on, but to run at slower speeds. This would still make the journey faster than the normal routes as the speed would be constant.

Spot on mate...it would have been a good decision to allow heavy vehicles to allow to use the E01, if the highway was actually had more than 2 lanes..

[NPP]

lanes on galle road in kollupitiya are much wider than the E01 lanes. we might have to slow down a lot to overtake these wide body vehicles to be safe.

[Ripper]

Agreed, but the lanes are not wide enough. They should have had 3 lanes to allow heavy vehicles to run on, people find it hard to overtake them on the Colombo-Negombo road as it is. Moreover these vehicles should not be traveling at 100kmph+, & some of them are in pretty bad state & don;t even have working indicators or brake lights so they should be checking their road worthiness prior before being allowed on, which is highly unlikely. The idea of a 40ft container fishtailing at high speed or not being able to slow down in a hurry doesn't sound too appealing. They should be allowed on, but to run at slower speeds. This would still make the journey faster than the normal routes as the speed would be constant.

1+

the area i live in is shared by a lot of container traffic. gotta say those guys dont stick to speed limits as it is.

most of them speed down even narrow roads. the only reason accidents are a little less cos everyone one else have no choice but to get out of their way.

If those trucks are allowed to speed down on E01, it will be a death trap to other road users.

The road is not wide enough to people to avoid a pileup.

Also on the topic of transport through trains, imo...developing that is a much better solution for the long term.

We have a decent rail network and it's the mis-managment and lack of planning that hasn't got it anywhere.

[varunatech]

Agreed, but the lanes are not wide enough. They should have had 3 lanes to allow heavy vehicles to run on, people find it hard to overtake them on the Colombo-Negombo road as it is. Moreover these vehicles should not be traveling at 100kmph+, & some of them are in pretty bad state & don;t even have working indicators or brake lights so they should be checking their road worthiness prior before being allowed on, which is highly unlikely. The idea of a 40ft container fishtailing at high speed or not being able to slow down in a hurry doesn't sound too appealing. They should be allowed on, but to run at slower speeds. This would still make the journey faster than the normal routes as the speed would be constant.

Very much spot on.............the drivers should be taught well as well backed by stringent laws.

[varunatech]

1+

the area i live in is shared by a lot of container traffic. gotta say those guys dont stick to speed limits as it is.

most of them speed down even narrow roads. the only reason accidents are a little less cos everyone one else have no choice but to get out of their way.

If those trucks are allowed to speed down on E01, it will be a death trap to other road users.

The road is not wide enough to people to avoid a pileup.

Also on the topic of transport through trains, imo...developing that is a much better solution for the long term.

We have a decent rail network and it's the mis-managment and lack of planning that hasn't got it anywhere.

Our rail network has got degraded for the last 40+ years and now in shambles. Some development is happening in southern railway which is a good sign. Until we fully utilize the railway, the roads should provide much efficient transportation but with safety in mind.

[Straga]

Used the E01 today so I asked a cop stationed at the entry point about this speed limit confusion. According to him, anything including 120 km/h and above will be dealt with. According to him they tolerate anything upto 119 km/h. It's an unwritten rule they're enforcing so that all the motorist on the E01 won't be caught speeding.

Also according to him, deducing the speed via the entry and exit times is total BS. Only what is caught on the radar guns apply.

Guys, please note that this is all according to this cop. Please do not adopt the 'shoot the messenger' policy if you guys are busted for doing 119 km/h or doing the trip in 35 mins

That's exactly the opposite of what they told us.. Well things seem to be unraveling in typical srilankan fashion..

[varunatech]

Went on E01 on Sunday afternoon. At the entry point I did ask about the increase in speed limit. The operator said, yes the limit is 120kmph now, but please do not exceed that even at 121kmph. Police is very harsh on 120kmph and no tolerance. Took few pics of D*MO Batta action and of few street fights. Will upload soon.

Edited January 25, 2012 by varunatech

[StarScream]

Used the E01 several times over the past few weeks. Pretty easy to spot the speed traps as there is a cop car or bike always around the vicinity. On one occasion the cop car was parked on the other side of the road while the 2 cops had evidently crossed over. They seem to radio in the number of the vehicle to the exit points after checking the speed gun. When I reached Pinnaduwa a cop with a paper came and checked my number while the toll booth was processing the fee.

Saw a cop car crawling at a snails pace around the 21st km marker. When I reached Pinnaduwa I told one of them traffic cops about this and he said "one of our patrol cars". Not sure why they were going so slow :S

[CARBON B4]

Our rail network has got degraded for the last 40+ years and now in shambles. Some development is happening in southern railway which is a good sign. Until we fully utilize the railway, the roads should provide much efficient transportation but with safety in mind.

Has anyone of u taken the Expo rail to Kandy ? Its quite nice to see the private sector getting involved in the railways...

[Reckless]

Has anyone of u taken the Expo rail to Kandy ? Its quite nice to see the private sector getting involved in the railways...

Im planning on taking that to kandy next weekend, heard its good, seen some nicestewardesses

[HardHat]

Just imagine if its some cop really bad in math

wouldn't that be almost all cops?

[HardHat]

Went on E01 on Sunday afternoon. At the entry point I did ask about the increase in speed limit. The operator said, yes the limit is 120kmph now, but please do not exceed that even at 121kmph. Police is very harsh on 120kmph and no tolerance. Took few pics of D*MO Batta action and of few street fights. Will upload soon.

Question: are the speed limit signs still reading 100?

[varunatech]

Question: are the speed limit signs still reading 100?

Yes

[HardHat]

can you highlight any thing i have post wrong.

ahem...sorry to dissapoint you but everything you've posted so far is pretty much dog sh*t

[HardHat]

Yes

How wonderfull!

regulatory signs say something but what is enforced is something else so after a while no one will be paying any attention to the signs

[jaga]

How wonderfull!

regulatory signs say something but what is enforced is something else so after a while no one will be paying any attention to the signs

Still the limit is 100 but Police give some tolerences upto 120 it seems like some other countries.

[thadiya]

News about E01... (http://www.adaderana...s.php?nid=16640)

QUOTE

Protective fencing on Southern Expressway stolen

January 24, 2012 09:49 am

The protective fencing on either side of the Southern Expressway from Dodangoda towards Colombo has been removed by an unidentified group, an Ada Derana correspondent reported.

Due to this situation, the risk of animals crossing the road has greatly increased while drivers should stay vigilant regarding this.

Investigations have begun into this incident following a host of complaints, Southern Expressway Director, SP Eric Perera stated.

Meanwhile, police stated that nine suspects have been arrested in connection with throwing stones at passing vehicles on the expressway.

UNQUOTE

Edited January 24, 2012 by thadiya

[Sylvi]

Im planning on taking that to kandy next weekend, heard its good, seen some nicestewardesses

'Reckless',

You don’t like the train or the beautiful scenery on either side of the mid country on our paradise island which the British legacy railway far back in end 1800.

You are going to enjoy the stewardesses. Good what about a bottle.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

[HardHat]

Still the limit is 100 but Police give some tolerences upto 120 it seems like some other countries.

what other countries?

[Reckless]

'Reckless',

You don’t like the train or the beautiful scenery on either side of the mid country on our paradise island which the British legacy railway far back in end 1800.

You are going to enjoy the stewardesses. Good what about a bottle.

Sylvi Wijesinghe.

I love the scenery man, I have gone on the normal train service from Colombo to Kandy and Kandy to Colombo 100 of times. never get enough of the beautiful scenery. but this new train service will be a different level of experience! you will still have things to enjoy even if you dont get a window seat.

Edited January 24, 2012 by Reckless

[jaga]

what other countries?

Dubai Abu Dhabi , Thailand , etc

[HardHat]

Dubai Abu Dhabi , Thailand , etc

not the best law enforcement models to follow are they mate?

I've taken the Dubai - Abu Dhabi highway quite a few times and yes, whereas all speed limit signs said 120, I think there were cameras which did not click until 140, some till 160 and a couple of dummies in really deserted areas which did not click at all, which we all flew past at 180+

Not a good example to follow. The law displayed and law enforced should be the same.

Having said that, if you've got a fast ride, a good road and the skill to match, putting your foot down without endangering others and withought getting caught is perfectly acceptable

Edited January 24, 2012 by HardHat

[VVTi]

So went for a meeting to GAlle today via E01.... made these observations,

D*MO batta Drivers discipline... OK

Alto Bulto and Tata Nano Drivers... Ok

2 Canter trucks I passed, driving at a reasonable pace with no swerving.

Vans, some slow, som fast, but still predictable behavior and ahnce safe to pass or follow.

Now

2 Axio Drivers, ROAD HOGGERS. Would not get off the Right lane despite all efforts to get them off.

1 VITZ Driver. F MORON... Can't keep the vehicle straight line.

2 121 Drivers. DUMB asses. Tail gating.

Toyota drivers, I tell you.

[liya]

2 Axio Drivers, ROAD HOGGERS. Would not get off the Right lane despite all efforts to get them off.

1 VITZ Driver. F MORON... Can't keep the vehicle straight line.

2 121 Drivers. DUMB asses. Tail gating.

Toyota drivers, I tell you.

Ah axio, the permit holders "Ferrari"

it probably hurts their pride to see their beloved 60 lakhs "Ferrari" over taken by some bloody market-nethi (shudder) petrol guzzling (shiver) eurocar (faint)

Afterall, didn't their kohuwela car salesman convince them its THE car in the world?