Construction of 96 km long four lane Expressway is split into four sections namely Matara - Beliatta (30km), Beliatta - Wetiya (26km), Wetiya - Andarawewa (15km) and Mattala - Hambantota via Andarawewa (25km).

The expressway is being constructed as an extension of the Southern Expressway which ends in Godagama, Matara. In the first section interchanges will be constructed in Aparekka and Beliatta areas. About 72 percent of the work in the 30-km first segment of the expressway from Matara to Beliatta has been completed, according to the RDA. The target date for the first phase is July 2019.

The road is being constructed taking measures not to cause damage to the mangroves and marshlands in the Nil Wala River delta as well as the farm lands, the RDA said. Although it is a costly task, the controlling frequent floods in the city of Matara and surrounding areas is the main objective.Since the first 13 km of the road is through an area with an unstable soft ground, long bridges over 10 kilometers in length are being constructed. It will also be the longest bridge system in the country.

The Road Development Authority says that it is a challenge to construct the road through the regional forest reserve up to Dandeniya. After a formal environmental assessment, it was decided to plant 100 saplings in the reserve for a tree that would be cut down. The road in the first phase has already been paved in some places, the RDA said. Construction of the long bridges are also in the final stage. There are some difficulties in constructing the road in this area with low-height mountains, according to the Authority