Mumbai News: SCLR Extension With Iconic Curved Cable-Stayed Bridge Fully Complete, Opening Soon To Ease East-West Traffic
Mumbai: The newly constructed Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension comprising a cable stayed bridge is ready and set for inauguration anytime soon.
Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Commissioner, MMRDA, along with Vikram Kumar, IAS, Additional Metropolitan Commissioner-I, visited the SCLR Extension site to review final preparations on Wednesday.
As per MMRDA Civil work is now fully complete, while Signage installation, Removal of temporary supports under the cable-stayed span, Painting and finishing and Street lighting and median landscaping work is ongoing.
Mukherjee, said, “This iconic bridge is getting its final finishing touches and will soon be open to serve our citizens — just in time for the monsoon. It’s not only a solution to congestion but also a new landmark for Mumbai, blending innovation with impact. Another step forward in making Mumbai a city of seamless connections.”
The SCLR extension comprises South Asia’s first cable-stayed bridge with a sharp 100metres horizontal curve. A 215m span with orthotropic steel deck which is 25m above ground, flying over Western Express Highway, Width is 10.5m to 17.2m — two-lane carriageway. The Y-shaped pylon eliminates mid-span supports, protecting Metro Line 3 and utilities below
Once open to traffic SCLR extension will provide Direct route from Kurla to Panbai School, just before the airport, Seamless link between Eastern Express Highway and Western Express Highway, bypassing all signals.
While several phases of the SCLR and its extensions have already been opened, the final phase, which will directly connect to the (WEH), has been the missing link. Currently, motorists travelling from Chembur or Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) towards the western suburbs must exit the SCLR at the Hans Bhugra Marg-WEH signal, navigate through the traffic signal at Vakola junction, and then proceed further.
To address this, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) had planned the construction of an arm that will bypass these junctions and traffic signals, offering direct access to the Western Express Highway.
Once the northbound SCLR arm passing over WEH is opened, commuters will no longer have to face the congestion at the Hans Bhugra Marg-WEH junction and the busy Vakola junction, making their journey smoother and more efficient.
The current Alignment length set for opening is 1.9 km. The Actual length of SCLR extension is is 5.4 km, out of which 3.4 km has already been opened and the remaining length is slated to be opened now.
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