en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Chennai Highways Department stated that the four-lane elevated corridor on Anna Salai is approximately 70% complete and is scheduled to open before the end of November this year. This 3.2-kilometer elevated corridor is India's first structure of its kind built directly above an operational metro tunnel, assembled using prefabricated steel components. The engineering complexity has driven up construction costs, totaling ₹6.21 billion, higher than conventional road projects.
Once the corridor is operational, travel time from Teynampet to Saidapet will be reduced from the current approximately 30 minutes to 5 minutes, and congestion at seven major intersections along the route is expected to ease. Currently, about 1.9 kilometers of the stretch has been completed, with 46 of the 69 piers already erected. Since the metro tunnel lies 14 to 15 meters below the Anna Salai road surface, the depth of foundation boreholes has been limited to 7 meters from the road surface.
Approximately 2.4 kilometers of the 3.2-kilometer stretch runs directly above the metro, including a 460-meter section above the Teynampet and Nandanam stations, while another 655 meters deviates from the metro alignment. Reinforced concrete bridge decks have covered about 2 kilometers of the corridor, and 41 portal frames are being installed above the stations. The project was originally scheduled for completion in September, but progress slowed as workers returned to their hometowns during the April elections and delayed their return to work after the holidays.
Nighttime construction permits restrict on-site work to six hours, but officials stated that the pace has since been accelerated, and the completion target is expected to be met by the end of November. Approximately 15,000 tonnes of prefabricated steel components are being manufactured in factories in Gujarat and Telangana before being shipped to Chennai; RCC deck segments, each about 15 meters long, are being placed atop the steel girders. A commuter from T Nagar reported that traffic diversions caused by the flyover and metro construction have led to severe congestion and urged the Highways Department to expedite the remaining work.
