Work on 3-lane flyover at Retteri junction to begin

Every day, 50,000 vehicles cross this crucial junction. Photo: K. Pichumani

Work to construct a uni-directional three-lane flyover at the Retteri junction on Inner Ring Road is likely to begin soon.

The design for the Rs. 52.72-crore flyover had recently been approved of, after which tenders had been floated calling for contractors. Sources at the Highways Department said the tender process was in the final stages and bids of several contractors were under scrutiny.

Every day around 50,000 vehicles use this crucial junction at the intersection of Jawaharlal Nehru Salai and Perambur Red Hills Road. The kilometre-long, 11-metre wide flyover will allow traffic from the Padi side to the Madhavaram side.

Though initially, two uni-directional flyovers were to be constructed at the junction, only one is being taken up presently. Work on the flyover will be completed in tow years. The other flyover will be taken up later, the source added.

“The flyover will help segregate heavy vehicular traffic on this road, which is used by containers carrying trailers from Poonamallee and Chennai port,” said a source.

For residents of the western parts of the city, the Retteri junction provides vital connectivity to areas including Perambur, Anna Nagar, Red Hills and Madhavaram.

L. Vaishnavi of Vinayakapuram said the junction witnessed very heavy traffic and more than motorists, it was pedestrians who suffered due to this.

“A subway or a foot overbridge must be constructed at the junction as the road is very broad. There are a lot of shops and hawkers on either side of Perambur Road leading to congestion during rush hour,” she said.