Thirumangalam flyover by June

According to sources in the highways department, which is constructing the Rs. 60-crore facility, only the ramp on the Koyambedu side is to be constructed.

Only the ramp on the Koyambedu side of the Rs. 60-crore flyover is to be constructed — Photo: K. Pichumani

Work on the 896-metre-long flyover at Thirumangalam junction on Jawaharlal Nehru Salai is expected to be completed by June.

Construction of the 21 deck slabs that form the core of the flyover has been completed, and work on one approach ramp on Anna Nagar West side is currently on.

According to sources in the highways department, which is constructing the Rs. 60-crore facility, only the ramp on the Koyambedu side is to be constructed.

“During execution of the project, we found the soil was not of the required strength, on the ramp on the Koyambedu side. Metro Rail tunnel also runs underneath the junction. We are conducting tests and have set June as the deadline for completion of the work,” said a source.

Though the foundation stone for the project was laid in December 2010 and it was slated to be completed in two years, the work was delayed due to various reasons, including shifting of utilities. “Since it is inside an urban area with lots of residential colonies, it took us quite some time to shift the lines,” said the source.

R. Srividya, a resident of Thirumangalam, said a pedestrian subway or foot overbridge is a must at the busy junction. “We find it very difficult to cross the road as traffic from four directions converges here. The construction of the flyover has also been dragging for four years. Hopefully, it will be completed soon,” she said.