The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will soon be dismantling the existing narrow road over bridge (ROBs) at Tambaram and build a wider new bridge at a cost of 25.7 crore.
The existing structure, which literally acts as the city’s southern gateway, has only four lanes on both sides.
But on an average, 1.5 lakh vehicles use this stretch of the Chennai-Trichy highway (NH-45) Road every day. To facilitate this traffic, the NHAI had proposed to build eight-lane bridge on both sides.
The bridge, which will be built across the railway lines connecting Tambaram and Perungalathur stations, has been designed in such a way allowing vehicles to travel at 65 kmph. According to NHAI documents, the total length of the project is 2.4 km and work is expected to be completed before 2024 end.
Since there are no major roads along which the traffic can be diverted during the construction phase, NHAI officials said that they have planned to build a temporary diversion road before the existing ROB on the left-hand side (towards Chengalpattu) is dismantled.
Though Tambaram residents welcome it, they see it only as a short-term solution to the growing traffic menace in the area.
Already traffic from Guindy, Maduaravoyal and Velachery leave the city via this junction at Tambaram. Once the Tambaram Eastern Bypass Road project (which is under construction) is completed, traffic from Thiruvanmiyur and Medavakkam also will use this stretch of the national highway. So, mere widening of bridges and roads will not help, said Dayanand Krishnan, a resident-activist.
“Constructing an elevated corridor, connecting Tambaram with Chengalpattu, as promised by the government is the only permanent solution to this problem,” he said.
Otherwise, we will continue to witness travel delays. While planning this corridor, it is important to keep the metro rail project in mind,” he added..
At present, it takes one hour to cross the 32-km stretch between Tambaram and Chengalpet.
