Roads

Staying on the driving theme...or shifting gear to a road one...there is much talk in Galle and indeed the whole country ..well southern part of it anyway...about the new highway due to open in June / July. Here is a photo of a section close to Galle.

 

Actually this is in fact the Galle exit...the highway proper is another two km inland but an honest Policeman in a newly installed Police hut would not let me on it. Apart from the obvious lack of white lines I think you'll agree it looks pretty good. Once completed it will cut the journey time from Colombo to just over 1 hour.

A few moments later I came across this flyover



In fact I had to scramble up to it and at the moment it looks more like the bridge in Alaska that lent the world so much confidence in Sarah Palin. However whilst this fly over will not be ready in June / July the President has said a section of the highway will be. So it will.

The highway is not the only road being built / upgraded. The main road leading into Galle is also being widened and is nearing the final stages.



You may note where the buildings have had their 'front room' shaved. Whilst nothing will stand in the way of progress there are two aspects that cause most concerned frowning. One - the four lanes leading into town narrow rather abruptly to two just outside the railway station. Hundreds of commuters spill out and Sri Lankan drivers are to pedestrians as predators are to their prey.

To call some yellow painted bars across a road a 'pedestrian crossing' is, in SL, to confuse the right of way. A 'take your life in your own hands crossing' would perhaps give a better understanding.

Two - has anyone thought about how many more cars and visitors will come into Galle as a result these developments. Where are they going to park, shop, eat and drink and what effect will it have on congestion and general living conditions? There is bound to have been an impact assessment....I must ask around.