Chennai: Traffic on Anna Salai near Saidapet is likely to be affected once again as the state highways department has started constructing a 3.2-km long elevated corridor.
The stretch between Saidapet and Nandanam, along which motorists were stuck in frequent traffic snarls, became uncongested after Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) introduced many U-turns at mid-sections.This brought down delays to less than a minute and driving was almost a breeze during non-peak hours.
Now, a portion of the arterial road near Saidapet metro station has been barricaded to construct a four-lane elevated corridor between Saidapet and Teynampet. Police fear they might be forced to shut down the U-turns as the work is expected to take place along the median throughout the 3-km stretch.
Motorists who regularly use the road have criticized govt for poor planning. “Anna Salai was in a mess for almost five years till Chennai metro rail’s phase 1 work was completed in 2018 and it was chaotic even after the stations were opened. Only recently did we heave a sigh of relief. Thanks to the u-turns. Closing them down will once again result in congestion,” said S Gokul, a trader from Saidapet.
Highways officials said building the elevated corridor will not lead to major disruptions to traffic unlike during CMRL work. Instead of conventional pile foundation, govt has planned to use prefabricated structures for construction. This will not only avoid obstructions on road but also reduce project duration, said engineers.
E V Velu, highway minister, had earlier said experts from Germany, England, IIT-M and CMRL were roped in for the final plan. The 621 crore elevated corridor, designed to carry 2.5 lakh vehicles every day, is aimed at reducing pile-ups at the Eldams Road, SIET Women’s College, Cenotaph Road, Nandanam and CIT Road intersections.
The stretch between Saidapet and Nandanam, along which motorists were stuck in frequent traffic snarls, became uncongested after Greater Chennai Traffic Police (GCTP) introduced many U-turns at mid-sections.This brought down delays to less than a minute and driving was almost a breeze during non-peak hours.
Now, a portion of the arterial road near Saidapet metro station has been barricaded to construct a four-lane elevated corridor between Saidapet and Teynampet. Police fear they might be forced to shut down the U-turns as the work is expected to take place along the median throughout the 3-km stretch.
Motorists who regularly use the road have criticized govt for poor planning. “Anna Salai was in a mess for almost five years till Chennai metro rail’s phase 1 work was completed in 2018 and it was chaotic even after the stations were opened. Only recently did we heave a sigh of relief. Thanks to the u-turns. Closing them down will once again result in congestion,” said S Gokul, a trader from Saidapet.
Highways officials said building the elevated corridor will not lead to major disruptions to traffic unlike during CMRL work. Instead of conventional pile foundation, govt has planned to use prefabricated structures for construction. This will not only avoid obstructions on road but also reduce project duration, said engineers.
E V Velu, highway minister, had earlier said experts from Germany, England, IIT-M and CMRL were roped in for the final plan. The 621 crore elevated corridor, designed to carry 2.5 lakh vehicles every day, is aimed at reducing pile-ups at the Eldams Road, SIET Women’s College, Cenotaph Road, Nandanam and CIT Road intersections.