The Greater Chennai Corporation has announced plans to demolish and rebuild three vital bridges connecting East Coast Road (ECR) to Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) across Buckingham Canal. These new structures will enhance accessibility and reduce congestion in the Perungudi (XIV) and Sholinganallur (XV) zones.

Strategic Locations for the Bridge Reconstruction

The new bridges will be constructed at the following key locations:

• Venkatesapuram to Elango Nagar, Kottivakkam (Ward 181, Perungudi Zone)
• Kamaraj Salai to Veeramani Salai, Palavakkam (Wards 182 and 183, Perungudi Zone)
• Pandian Street to Anna Nagar, Thoraipakkam (Divisions 192 and 193, Sholinganallur Zone)

The project, estimated at ₹16.87 crore, is expected to be completed within 15 months, significantly improving the region’s traffic flow.

Current Challenges and Need for Reconstruction

The existing bridges are heavily used by commuters, particularly two-wheelers and cars, as they serve as vital shortcuts between ECR and OMR. Residents like Veeramani, a daily commuter from Velachery to Kottivakkam, rely on these routes to avoid traffic congestion in Thiruvanmiyur.

However, by late 2024, structural assessments revealed that the bridges had weakened, leading to restrictions on heavy vehicle movement for safety concerns. This necessitated a complete rebuild to accommodate increasing traffic demands and improve safety.

Key Features of the New Bridges

The newly constructed bridges will be designed with modern infrastructure enhancements, including:

• Dimensions: Each bridge will be approximately 300 meters long with a 7.5-meter-wide carriageway and 1.5-meter-wide footpaths for pedestrian safety.
• Structural Upgrades: The deck will feature a 20 cm thick concrete slab supported by steel and concrete beams to ensure durability.
• Safety Enhancements: Improved street lighting, traffic signage, speed breakers, and reflective studs will be installed for better visibility and road safety.
• Crash Barriers and Drainage: The bridges will include crash barriers to prevent accidents and drainage spouts to manage water runoff effectively.

Environmental and Debris Management

The project contractors will handle debris removal responsibly. Any violation of disposal norms will attract strict penalties. Excess debris will be transported to designated dumping sites located 10 kilometers away to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Project Delays and Finalization

Although the proposal for these bridges was initially announced in 2019, delays in tender finalization and contractor selection pushed the project commencement to 2024. Now, with all formalities completed, the reconstruction work is set to begin, marking a significant step toward better urban infrastructure in Chennai.