Thane Creek Bridge Update: Mumbai-Bound Section Nears Completion; Open By This Month

Authorities have announced that the Mumbai-bound section of the Thane Creek Bridge, also known as the Vashi Bridge, is nearing completion and is expected to open by the end of February, according to the Hindustan Times (HT) report. This comes two months after the Navi Mumbai-bound section of the bridge was opened to motorists on October 13.

The bridge, built by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), aims to ease traffic on the heavily congested Vashi Bridge corridor, which sees approximately 64,300 vehicles daily. The new structure will serve as the fourth bridge spanning the creek and is part of a long-term plan to improve connectivity between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Currently, two bridges handle vehicular traffic on this route. The first bridge, constructed in 1973, has been closed to regular traffic for almost 20 years due to safety concerns and is now occasionally used for Bollywood film shoots. The second bridge, operational since 1997, has six lanes-three in each direction. However, with the growing population and increasing vehicle numbers, the second bridge has struggled to manage the traffic, worsened by the widening of the Sion-Panvel Highway to 10 lanes.

To address this, the MSRDC began construction of twin creek bridges in 2020, with a Rs 559 crore project awarded to Larsen & Toubro. The combined length of the two new bridges is 3.14 kilometres, flanking the 1997 structure.

The Mumbai-bound bridge's superstructure is complete, with ongoing works such as crash barrier installations, lighting, and electrical systems. "We are looking at completing all the works by February-end, after which the bridge will be opened for traffic," MSRDC managing director Anil Kumar Gaikwad told the HT.

Once operational, the twin bridges will expand the corridor to 12 lanes-six in each direction-ensuring smoother and faster travel between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.