Mumbai: The final stage of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) extension is set to open in July, featuring a nearly complete 90-degree cable-stayed bridge over the Western Express Highway (WEH). This crucial link will eliminate the need for detours through Vakola and Hans Bhugra Marg, facilitating a seamless east-west route in Mumbai.
Initiated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the project aims to bolster connectivity between the Eastern Express Highway (EEH) and WEH. The bridge connects Kurla to an airport-adjacent area near Panbai School in Santacruz, easing traffic at key intersections. Civil work on the cable-stayed section is finished, with MMRDA finalising signage, street lights, and removing temporary supports.
Metropolitan Commissioner Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee confirmed the segment's imminent opening. Commuters from Kurla, Chembur, Chunabhatti, and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) will benefit from reduced travel times, optimised traffic flow to the airport, alleviated local congestion, and a continuous route between the EEH and WEH upon its completion.
The extension of the Santacruz Chembur Link Road (SCLR) is a major infrastructure project nearing completion, with the MMRDA reporting it to be 95% finished, aiming for a May 2024 opening. Initially facing delays since 2019, completion is now anticipated before the monsoon, though it may stretch into 2025.
Mumbai News: SCLR Extension With Iconic Curved Cable-Stayed Bridge Fully Complete, Opening Soon To Ease East-West TrafficThe SCLR connects Mumbai’s eastern and western suburbs, facilitating travel for commuters between Navi Mumbai and BKC, but traffic congestion at the Vakola junction remains a challenge due to the distance from SCLR to the Western Express Highway (WEH).
Plans for a flyover extension began in 2016, originally set for completion in 2019, but faced design changes, land acquisition issues, pandemic-related interruptions, and electoral delays, increasing the budget from ₹450 crore to ₹650 crore.
The engineering of the bridge is noteworthy, with a 215 mm cable-stayed segment featuring a 70-degree curve on the Orthotropic Steel Deck (OSD), rising 25 meters above ground. MMRDA’s design signifies a first in Asia and includes a prominent Y-shaped pylon for support. The deck's successful launch was reported in February. Overall, the SCLR extension is crucial for enhancing connectivity in Mumbai.
