New bridges in North Chennai - at Rs. 80 Crores - relief from traffic congestion in level-crossings
Posted on: 16/Jul/2016 4:30:40 PM
In order to prevent the frequent traffic congestion created by the railway level-crossings, the Chennai Metro City Corporation has planned to construct an overbridge linking 2 main roads at a cost of Rs. 80 Crores.
The contract agreement for this project has been released.
In the wards 38 and 41 located in Tondiarpet Region, there are 2 main highways – Ennore High Road and Manali Road.
There are exclusive level-crossing in these 2 roads for the rail goods traffic.
These 2 level-crossings are known as LC2A and LC2B. They are closed 14 times each day to allow passage of trains. As only goods train are operated in these level-crossings, they also take time to pass. So, the level-crossing remains closed at least 20 minutes every time. This creates severe traffic congestion.
These 2 level-crossings post a huge challenge to the vehicles going to Vyasarpadi, Madhavaram, Korukkupettai, Manali, and Ennore.
A survey reveals that over 40000 vehicles have to go through these 2 level-crossings every day.
The Chennai City Corporation made a draft plan to construct a single overbridge covering these 2 level-crossings.
The overbridge is designed to start from the Ennore High Raod, pass over the level-crossing LC2A, and then the level-crossing LC2B to Manali Road.
The length of the overbridge is 1696 metres. The width is 12.5 metres.
The estimated cost is Rs. 117.478 Crores. Out of this Rs. 80 Crores is allotted for the overbridge construction. Rs. 37.47 Crores are allotted for taking over the land and buying equipment.
A lad of 1600 sq metre area is to be acquired on the 2 roads.
Measurements have been taken.
On the Railway section, the overbridge will be 37.4 metres long and 16.7 metres wide over the level-crossing LC2A in Ennore High Road and will be 72.2 metre long and 16.7 metres wide over the level-crossing LC2B.
The contract to commence work on the Railway section was released on 30th June. It is expected to be completed in 9 months.
41 pillars are included in the design of the overbridge of 1696 metres long. The contract was announced last January. 2 contractors participated, However, both were rejected as they were not having the required technology level.
Now, the 2nd contract has been announced for this project. More than 5 contractors have participated. The contract introductory meeting was conducted on 14th July (Thursday) in Ripon Buildings.
Once the Chennai city corporation finalizes the contract, the work has been planned to be completed in 2 years.
When this overbridge is ready for public service, it would be indeed a great relief from the severe traffic congestion.
