CM to open TN’s longest flyover in Salem today

The flyover, stretching for about seven kilometres, is perhaps the longest in the State. However, only the three-kilometre stretch between AVR roundabout and Hasthampatti junction has been completed, while the construction of the remaining four kilometre stretch connecting Kurunguchavadi junction and Anna Park is likely to be completed in a few more months.

The new facility, once fully opened for public, is expected to ease traffic congestion in Salem city. The Rs 441-crore project was proposed by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on February 28, 2016.

The three-kilometre stretch, to be inaugurated on Friday, has two-way traffic from AVR roundabout to Five Roads junction and one-way traffic from Five Roads to Ramakrishna Road junction. From the other side, the flyover will have two-way traffic between Hasthampatti junction and Fairlands.

Vehicles from Bengaluru and Coimbatore can take the flyover at AVR roundabout and reach Yercaud main road without entering the city. Also vehicles from Yercaud can turn towards Five Roads junction and reach Hasthampatty, from where the stretch will have two-way fare till the Alagapuram police station.

In the first level, the two-way section is around 13.6 metres in breadth and the one-way stretch is around seven metres wide. Officials said that the four-km second stretch between Kurunguchavadi junction and Anna Park is expected to be completed in a few months. The Chief Minister, who will reach Salem on Thursday by road from Coimbatore, is scheduled to participate in a slew of government functions till Sunday.

The Chief Minister will inaugurate 17 projects completed at a total cost of Rs 450.77 crore and 69 new projects will be kicked off at a cost estimation of Rs 17.41 crore, said a release.