68% of flyover on Anna Salai completed despite delays due to war, labour shortage

Nearly 68% of the project to construct the 3.2-km-long flyover from Saidapet to Teynampet on Anna Salai has been completed.

Slabs have been placed on the girders for a length of 1.1 km and 98% of the foundation work for the pillars is ready.

Sources in the State Highways Department said that 32 of the 131 decks are in place. “We are working to place eight more by this month-end. Most of the structures are pre-cast in Maharashtra, Goa, and Hyderabad,” said an engineer associated with the project, which is slated to be completed by September this year.

The project has had its share of delays due to the war and elections. “We were hit by high fuel prices. The fabrication process lost its steam due to labour shortage. Men moved to their native towns to vote. Now those working at the site and in fabrication units have returned. We hope to finish on schedule,” another source added.

This is perhaps the only project in the county where a flyover is being built over a pair of Metrorail tunnels. Of the 32 decks over the tunnels, 13 have been successfully launched. Each deck slab is 30 m long.

The approach ramp on the Saidapet side and the crash barriers has been completed.

At the two points where the CMRL stations are located — Teynampet and Nandanam — reinforcement bars have already been provided along the diaphragm walls. These have been tested for strength. Of the 42 pedestals, 12 are ready.

C. Sarathy, of Triplicane, said that at points where bus stops are located along the work sites, temporary shelters must be provided.

“At some places, water falls from above. Precautions must be taken to prevent such incidents,” he said.