The bridge over Mithi river, a part of Mahim Causeway, will soon be taken down to make way for a wider and longer part.
It is pertinent to note that the bridge is a key connector between city and suburbs. The bridge, which meets the Arabian Sea at Mahim bay, is a critical junction connecting Mahim with SV Road.
As per reports, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received permission from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) to carry out the project, as it is close mangroves and falls under the coastal regulation zone.
The work will commence after monsoon and carried out over a span of 36 months. While the present structure is made of RCC, the new one will be constructed with mild steel double to make for an arched bridge.
According to BMC officers, the makeover was needed as the bridge is nearly 60 years old.
BMC Additional Commissioner P Velarasu told media that they had started piling (basic work) a few days ago, but work will start in full swing post-monsoon. An NOC from traffic police has already been received.
The bridge has six lanes at present, which will be converted into ten lanes. Work will be carried out in phases: two lanes on each side will be constructed first and after its completion, the middle structure with six lanes will be pulled down.
When the additional lanes are constructed, raw material is likely to spill over to the outer sides of the six lanes, inconveniencing motorists.
On the other hand, a traffic police officer said this will create mayhem and a lot of traffic going to city will have to be diverted from T-Junction at Dharavi or via Sion or from Sea link, reports stated. It is used by officegoers and also those travelling to the airport, every day. A 2015 study had stated 50,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day. It is most likely that these numbers would have increased in eight years. Although the Bandra Worli Sea link was supposed to ease traffic, many motorists use the causeway to travel to the island city, to avoid paying the toll.
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