Construction of an underpass along the Tiruchi-Chennai Bypass road at Kondayampettai here is set to become a reality soon with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) engaged in preparing detailed estimates for the project.
The detailed estimates would be sent to NHAI for approval prior to commencement of the works. The underpass is expected to be constructed at a cost of nearly ₹20 crore. Soil tests would be carried out before embarking on the project, a senior NHAI official said. Seven minor bridges would also be built in four locations to ensure continuous service road on the bypass road.
The need for an underpass was felt in the wake of recurring accidents at the spot. Construction of underpass would reduce accidents to a large extent, said NHAI officials.
As a sequel to frequent accidents along the Chennai By Pass road, the Traffic Police had installed barricades on one of the carriageways leading towards Tiruchi as a temporary measure at Sanjeevi Nagar intersection blocking straight movement of vehicles.
The barricades were put up as a temporary measure several months ago with traffic police personnel deployed at the intersection in shifts to manage vehicular movements during day time and evenings. Vehicles coming from the Cauvery river bridge side towards Tiruchi are being diverted via the service road to reduce their speed and take the same carriageway upon nearing the intersection.
Barricades have been installed on the other carriageway in order to reduce the speed of vehicle headed towards Chennai. This has brought down accidents at Sanjeevi Nagar intersection.
