The amount of vehicles on expressways has risen since December 15 due to the Christmas season. Around 47,000 – 60,000 vehicles travel daily on the Southern expressway and it has risen to 70,000 during weekends. Meanwhile, 24,000 – 30,000 vehicles travel on the Colombo – Katunayaka expressway daily.
There are several solutions to be taken to reduce heavy road traffic between December 16 to the first week of January. Additional entrances will be opened in the Southern Expressway at the Kadawatha, Kottawa, Gelanigama, Pinnaduwa, and Godagama interchanges.
A sufficient amount of officials in operational units would be attached to these interchanges and their holidays will be limited. Expressway Police Division officials, Road Development Authority (RDA) Traffic-Controlling Unit, and the Special Task Force (STF) will be engaged within 24 hours.
There are instructions to drivers who enter the expressway during that period. Vehicles must be in good condition. Accidents have increased to 8 percent during the past few years because of exploding tyres. When there is a mechanical issue in a vehicle, drivers are advised to park the vehicle out of the asphalt lane as soon as possible and call the Motor Traffic Department on the line 1969, keeping their distance from the guard fence. They’re advised not to park vehicles beside the expressway, unless there is a mechanical issue.
If driver is exhausted, it is better to exit from the closest interchange. Bringing a ticket and the exact change is helpful to deduct delays at exits. Vehicles are being observed through CCTV cameras, and the Motor Traffic Department is open 24 hours. Any information can be obtained by calling 1969.