CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated the newly constructed twin bridge at Okkiyam Thoraipakkam on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) on Thursday.
As part of the larger infrastructure push, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has constructed this four-lane bridge at a cost of Rs 60 crore. Since August 2024, discussions have been under way to either expand the existing bridge or construct a new one. As the existing bridge has a restricted waterway of 90 meters and low vertical clearance, it triggered floods during Cyclone Michaung in December 2023.
Hence, CMRL, in consultation with the state government and the Water Resources Department (WRD), decided to construct a new bridge with an expanded waterway of about 205 meters and an additional 1.5 meters of vertical clearance. Steel structures have been used for rapid construction.
The existing bridge will be demolished, and construction of two additional one-lane bridges and metro train lines will begin adjacent to the already constructed two-lane road bridges.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the construction of an integrated multi-modal transport and commercial complex at the existing Mandaveli bus depot and terminal at an estimated cost of Rs 167.09 crore.
The multi-modal facility will be constructed by the Chennai Metro Asset Management Limited (CMAML), which is a joint venture between CMRL and the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO).
The integrated facility will consist of tower 1 and tower 2, which will include two basements, a ground floor and seven upper floors.
CMAML has planned to use the ground floor for retail use and as an integrated Metro station entrance/exit structure, and the first to seventh floors as retail spaces.
The facility is integrated with the Mandaveli Metro Station entrance and exit structures to ensure seamless transportation connectivity between the Metro station and the building facilities. The project will be completed in approximately two years.