Thane Creek Bridge: New Mumbai-Bound Section To Cut Congestion For 60,000 Daily Drivers; Opening Soon

The long-standing traffic congestion on the Thane Creek Bridge, also known as Vashi Bridge along the Sion-Panvel Highway is set to ease as the Mumbai-bound section is expected to open soon. The construction of the arterial bridge has been completed, and authorities anticipate its inauguration after the ongoing Assembly session, according to a Midday report.

According to MSRDC officials, over 60,000 vehicles use the Sion-Panvel Highway daily, leading to significant congestion at the Vashi toll. Once the Mumbai-bound stretch of the new bridge opens, thousands of motorists will benefit from improved traffic flow.

An MSRDC official stated, "The construction of the Mumbai-bound stretch over Thane Creek near the Vashi toll is complete, with final finishing touches being applied. The bridge will be opened to motorists soon, significantly reducing traffic jams during peak hours."

Sources from MSRDC confirmed that work on the finishing touches near the Mumbai-side landing is progressing rapidly. If all goes as planned, the bridge will be operational for traffic once the Assembly session concludes.

Currently, the first Thane Creek Bridge (TCB-1) is closed, while traffic moves on the second Thane Creek Bridge (TCB-2), which has three lanes for both southbound and northbound traffic. Due to the increasing volume of vehicles over the years, congestion at both ends of the bridge became a bottleneck. This prompted the decision to construct twin bridges, each with three lanes designated for northbound and southbound traffic.

In October 2024, the bridge carrying traffic towards Navi Mumbai near the Vashi toll plaza was opened for motorists. MSRDC officials stated that the combined length of both twin bridges is 3.18 km, with a width of 11 metres. The total cost of the project is Rs 775.58 crore.

To ensure a smoother commute, the approach areas near the bridge landing have been constructed with cement concrete, preventing potholes from forming during the monsoon.

Currently, three bridges run parallel on this stretch. The first bridge, with two lanes, was opened in 1973 but was later restricted to light vehicles due to corrosion. In 1997, a second bridge with six lanes was built, which continues to serve thousands of motorists daily. In October 2024, a third bridge with three lanes (towards Navi Mumbai) was opened.

With the development of Navi Mumbai's international airport, traffic volumes are expected to rise further. MSRDC authorities believe the twin bridges will play a crucial role in managing future vehicular movement efficiently.

For years, daily commuters have complained about the narrow Vashi Creek Bridge, which connects Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, citing severe congestion during peak hours. Considering the increasing number of motorists heading towards Pune, additional lanes were necessary to streamline traffic flow. The upcoming opening of the Mumbai-bound bridge is expected to bring much-needed relief.

In the same report, Vipul Mane, a motorist who travels to Konkan via the Sion-Panvel Highway, shared, "Earlier, when we travelled via the Sion-Panvel Highway towards Vashi, we would get stuck in traffic near the Vashi bridge. However, the northbound stretch of the new bridge, which opened last year, has helped resolve the issue to a great extent. It seems that the Mumbai-bound bridge is also ready, and once it becomes operational, there will be no traffic issues."