Traffic congestions near Vashi toll plaza to end by 2023

Work on for the two new bridges on both sides of the existing overpasses. Pic/MSRDC

If all goes according to plan, the traffic jam issue on Sion-Panvel highway near Vashi toll plaza will get resolved by 2023, as the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is expecting to complete the construction work of two bridges over Thane Creek. MSRDC officials told mid-day that around 10 per cent of the work is complete. It may be noted that constructing the two bridges is a challenging task as the foundation of the bridges is to be done in an open sea.

MSRDC Executive Engineer Shankar Jagtap said, "During the pandemic there was a man power issue. Now that things are back to normal, the construction work of both the bridges over Thane Creek is progressing at a faster pace and around 10 per cent work has been done. Carrying out the work in open sea is a challenging task but our contractor, Larsen & Turbo, has expertise and we are hoping that the work on both the bridges will be completed by 2023."

The Rs 559-crore project will have two bridges of three lanes each on both sides of the existing bridge passing over Thane Creek. It may be noted that at present, the existing Sion-Panvel highway is a 10-lane road but motorists used to get stuck in traffic on the Thane creek bridge as it is just 6 lanes. With the completion of two new bridges, the issue of traffic jam on the Mankhurd side as well as the Vashi toll side is expected to be solved.

"The existing toll plaza at Vashi has 10 lines but in order to avoid traffic jam during morning and evening peak hours, the capacity of the plaza is increased to 16 by putting up barricades etc. We are constructing a new toll plaza near Vashi village with 10 more lanes. This would solve the issue of traffic jam permanently," Jagtap added.

Currently, two bridges run parallel to each other on this stretch. The first bridge with two lanes was thrown open in 1973, but after it showed signs of corrosion, another bridge was constructed, with six lanes, in 1997. The second bridge is used by thousands of motorists every day now. MSRDC authorities expect an increase in vehicular traffic in the near future as an international airport is coming up in Navi Mumbai and new bridges will ease the traffic.

Rs 559 crore
Estimated cost of the project