Work to construct 1.2-m-tall crash barriers in place of the medians on Wall Tax Road from Chennai Central to Basin Bridge has been completed. These barriers will help reduce the impact in case of any accidents, bring down the glare from vehicle headlights at night and also prevent residents from rolling off medians while sleeping on them.
“Earlier, people used to sleep on the median that had a flat top. There have been deaths after they rolled onto the road at night. The barriers have to be painted and reflectors will also be installed,” explained a source in the Highways Department.
It has only been a few days since the construction was completed on the 2.6-km stretch but already, people are using the crash barriers to dry clothes and paste posters. Shorter crash barriers constructed earlier will be demolished and new ones will be built at a similar height.
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Ranjith Jain, whose business is located in Sowcarpet, welcomed the crash barriers. He said efforts must also be taken to widen Wall Tax Road in certain portions.