Mumbai News: Coastal road connected to Bandra Worli Sea Link to be partially opened by Sept 15

After this bridge is opened, vehicles will be able to travel between Nariman Point and Bandra by using the sea link. At present, the coastal road is operational only till Worli.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has informed that the South bound stretch connecting Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL) to Marine Drive will likely be opened by September 15.

As per reports, the southbound carriageway opening will be one-directional, primarily accommodating northbound traffic from Marine Drive towards Bandra. The final decision on traffic management will be made in consultation with traffic police and BMC.

This development is anticipated to alleviate some of the congestion on the area’s traffic routes. Once this bridge is operational, vehicles will be able to travel between Nariman Point and Bandra by using the sea link. At present, the coastal road is operational only till Worli.

The recent asphalting work on the bridge was completed last weekend, taking advantage of a dry spell. The last 180-metre stretch was finished on Sunday, September 1. Civic body chief Bhushan Gagrani further stated that work on the second arm may extend until the end of the year.

Officials stated that one of the two arms of the arch bridge is almost ready for vehicular movement. At present, ancillary works like painting the signages and illuminating the structure are ongoing

The completion of two spans and the opening of the accompanying promenade from Breach Candy to Worli, which will feature a dedicated cycling track, are also targeted to be finished by year-end.

The two arch bridge spans measure 136 meters on the right-hand side (RHS) and 144 meters on the left-hand side (LHS), with a total weight of 4,000 metric tonnes. Additional spans of 44 meters, 60 meters, and 46 meters bring the total steel requirement to 7,000 metric tonnes. The steel was supplied by Jindal Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. Due to the coastal environment, a five-level paint coating is being applied to prevent corrosion.

It is pertinent to note that the BMC was supposed to open this bridge partially for vehicular movement from July end. However, owing to the heavy spell of rainfall the maximum city witnessed last month, the civic authorities postponed the deadline owing to high tidal waves since the civil works for this bridge were taken up from the Arabian Sea. Civic officials said that owing to frequent dry spells during July, the civil works were expedited.