The Highways Department will by this month-end begin construction work on the clover loop of the flyover linking the busy Periyar EVR Salai with Anna Nagar Third Avenue. The flyover is one of the two such facilities coming up in the area — the other will connect Periyar EVR Salai and Nelson Manickam Road.
The department is conducting pile test to ascertain the proposed structure's strength and load-carrying capacity. The test is being carried out to assess whether the structures can withstand the weight of 2,500 tonnes at the site in the Arignar Anna Government Hospital of Indian Medicine's farm. Once the test was completed, in the next few days, the work on the loop would begin, Highways officials said.
On completion of the two L-shaped flyovers, the existing right turn into Periyar EVR Salai for vehicles coming on Nelson Manickam Road would be closed and the loop would be the only option for them.
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As per the traffic plan, motorists coming on Nelson Manickam Road would be required to take the 590 m long flyover, the loop leading to Anna Nagar Third Avenue to go towards Aminjikarai on Periyar EVR Salai. They would use the semi-circular loop that would pass near the farm and join the traffic on Periyar EVR Salai.
“We have 100 metre of space in the farm. As it is government land, it would be easier to start from the loop,” said an official. The loop would be 230 metre long and 7.50 metre wide.
An estimated nearly two lakh passenger car units are expected to use both the two-lane flyovers.
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Of the total cost of Rs.117 crore, Rs.26.01 crore has been set aside for land acquisition and Rs.5.50 crore for shifting of utility lines. Officials said notices have been served to 20 private properties that would be required for the project. While nearly 2.10 hectares of lands require belong to government agencies, about 0.90 hectares are privately owned.
The process of acquiring lands would be completed in two months. The department is also in discussion with the Chennai Corporation to relocate the Anna Arch about 50 metres away, towards the Shanthi Colony Road junction.
The project would have a vehicular subway on Anna Nagar Third Avenue to facilitate free flow of traffic to Koyambedu. Two pedestrian subways would also form part of the project that is expected to be completed in two years.