The BMC intends to build an elevated corridor with cable-stayed bridges to relieve traffic congestion on the Western Express Highway and allow for seamless vehicle flow between Mahim and Dahisar. They intend to accomplish this. This ambitious effort, spearheaded by CM Shinde, attempts to develop effective access control procedures.
The project’s anticipated cost is Rs 5,500 crore, which includes the construction of elevated lanes totalling 15.3km along the 25 km-long roadway. Three to four single-pier cable-stayed bridges will connect the elevated segment to underpasses at various points. The BMC will need to demolish a few existing flyovers to make room for the cable-stayed bridges in order to complete this project. This method will not only free up space below but will also allow for the building of new lanes along the whole 25.33-kilometre length of the roadway.
The BMC has presented a bold concept to build an elevated route over the congested Western Express Highway. According to Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velrasu, the project’s tender procedure would begin following the completion of a full project report and government permission, with a four-year project duration. The DPR preparation is expected to be finished within the next five to six months.
The project’s major goal is to increase the number of lanes on both sides of the highway to 14 or 16, including lanes beneath the elevated section. To allow smooth vehicular passage from arterial roads onto the highway without affecting traffic flow, underpasses will be created at major junctions such as Kala Nagar, JVLR, and Aarey. Following a techno-economic feasibility analysis, a consultant created a concept plan that takes into account future traffic estimates, ongoing and forthcoming infrastructure projects, and the incorporation of pedestrian-friendly amenities.
Current Status
Currently, the highway has five lanes in each direction, with service roads covering almost half of its overall length. The highway, on the other hand, sees enormous traffic flow ranging from 220,000 to 380,000 passenger car units per day, with peak traffic reaching 10,000 PCU at numerous junctions, causing severe congestion in multiple areas.
The concept design calls for a 15.3km elevated corridor between Mahim and Malad, divided into three to four sections and supported by lengthy single-pier cable-stayed bridges. The current configuration of six lanes on each span of the carriageway, four lanes on adjacent slip roads, and a total of ten lanes will be changed to eight lanes on the bridges and either six or eight lanes on the roads beneath and adjoining the bridges, for a total of 14 or 16 lanes on both sides of the highway.
Traffic separation barriers will be built into the project design. Underpasses will be built at numerous crossroads and bottlenecks to address cross-directional traffic difficulties. It should be noted that the concept design is susceptible to change following the completion of a thorough project report, which is expected to take five to six months.