Chennai: Residents of Nolambur and Maduravoyal are set to get long-awaited relief, with Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) preparing to open a new four-lane bridge across the Cooum in about one week.The 150-metre structure, built at a cost of 4.5 crore excluding the cost of land acquisition, will link Union Road—connecting Maduravoyal and Mogappair—directly to Poonamallee High Road. The final leg of the project, including setting up street lights and relaying the last stretch of bituminous road, is underway.For nearly three decades, motorists depended on a low-level causeway barely 20 metres away. Built in 1996, the crossing frequently goes under water during monsoon spells and was found to be weak and unsafe, especially for heavy vehicles. During floods, commuters often detour nearly five kilometres via Mogappair to use the existing four-lane bridge there.Nolambur zonal chairman V Rajan said the project will be inaugurated before the model code of conduct. “We may have an event if it’s before the model code of conduct comes into effect, but if it nears the deadline, the bridge will just be put into use without inauguration,” he said. The new bridge is expected to cut travel time by 10 to 15 minutes and provide seamless access to the state highway, improving connectivity for several gated communities that have sprung up in the area. Civic authorities also acquired 4,396sqm of private land to facilitate direct access.The corporation earlier opened a two-lane bridge at Chinna Nolambur, inaugurated last year by deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The state highways department is constructing another river over bridge at Padi Kuppam on the same stretch.
