Santacruz-Chembur Link Road: Mumbai’s Steepest Curved Bridge Almost Done; Check The New Deadline

The construction of a cable-stayed bridge on the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) has reached its final stage. The bridge, being constructed at Vakola Nala on the Western Expressway near CST Road, is a critical part of the SCLR project. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has commenced preparations to complete this final phase, with plans to finish the bridge by the end of November.

The SCLR is being extended from CST Road to Vakola Bridge on the Western Expressway. This new cable-stayed bridge will link the Western Expressway with the Dahisar direction, making it an important connection for commuters. It will feature an orthotropic steel deck and will have a sharp curve, making it the steepest curved bridge in the country.

The bridge's girder construction has already been completed. Now, a steel deck will be installed on the bridge, which will require a traffic block on the Western Expressway. MMRDA has planned this block and is making necessary arrangements to avoid any major disruptions to traffic.

Cable Installation

The cable-stayed bridge will have an orthotropic steel deck, a design known for its strength and lightweight. However, the engineering required for such a design is quite complex. Once the steel deck is installed, the next step will be the installation of cables. MMRDA aims to complete the remaining work, including cable installation, by November 30.

Project Delays

The SCLR project was initially taken up by MMRDA in 2016, with an expected completion date of 2019. However, due to various delays, the project has been extended four times. To date, MMRDA has imposed penalties of Rs 2.5 crore on the contractor for missed deadlines. Despite these setbacks, officials now expect the route to be open by December.