Construction of the Rs. 28 billion Port Access Elevated Highway, Sri Lanka’s first, begins today with the support of a USD 300 million (about Rs. 54.2 billion) loan facility by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).Highways and Road Development and Petroleum Resources Minister Kabir Hashim told a news conference at his ministry yesterday that the travel time between Ingurukade junction and Fort, which takes about 45 minutes now, would be reduced to 5 minutes once the project completes. The 5.3 km highway on pillars connects to the New Kelani Bridge (NKB) from Ingurukade junction, near the Kelanitissa Power Station, and extends onwards to the Colombo Port City. It will link to Galle Face by a tunnel road thereby avoiding harm to the natural beauty of the Galle Face Green.