Three Bridges Worth Rs 74 Crore To Be Built In North Chennai, To Improve Traffic Flow

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is planning to construct three bridges in the city to make the commute easier. It has invited bids for the construction of three bridges worth Rs 74 crore.

Once implemented, the GCC's proposal will eliminate traffic bottlenecks in Tondiarpet, Korukkupet, Mint, Manali, and Kodungaiyur.

According to a recent press release issued by the Chennai Corporation, bids have been issued to build a bridge at a railway level crossing on Manali Road on a design, procure, and construct basis, following the announcement made by KN Nehru, Minister of Municipal Administration.

Also, a bridge across Otteri Nullah Canal in the Anna Nagar zone will be built to connect Aspire Garden Second Street and Kilpauk Garden Street.

Another bridge will be built in the Alandur zone across the Adambakkam Lake Canal to connect Jeevan Nagar Second Street and Medavakkam Main Road.

A larger bridge will replace the narrow one that crosses Otteri Nullah.

When these structures are completed, traffic congestion would be eased on routes such as Kilpauk Garden Road in Ward 98 of the Anna Nagar neighbourhood and Medavakkam Main Road in Ward 161 of the Alandur neighbourhood.

The original plan for an integrated T-shaped flyover was put on hold after being delayed for several years and being rejected by the traffic police because of concerns about traffic diversion.

According to The Hindu report, the Corporation will begin work on the bridge across level-crossing 2A and then across level-crossing LC2 close to the Korukkupet railway station after finishing the bridge across level-crossing 2B.

After IIT Madras approves the design, the composite girder bridge will be finished in one and a half years. The bridge will be 895 metres long with a 7.5-meter carriageway. Vehicular traffic will be detoured through Thoppai Vinayagar Koil Street and Buckingham Canal service road.

Superintending engineer for special projects and bridges B V Babu said, “We can expect work completion by mid - 2023. We may have severe challenges in traffic diversions on the Tondiarpet side, for which we may need to hold discussions with traffic police,” as per the Times of India report.