Closure of the bridge would lead to traffic diversions and could cause jams on other roads between Thane and south Mumbai.
Starting April 20, Sion flyover will remain shut for repairs for two months, authorities said on Friday. The decision came after a chunk of concrete fell from it on Thursday night. For the time being, heavy vehicles have been banned on the bridge.
While the incident prompted the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to go for repairs, sources said the corporation had proposed to strengthen the bridge a year ago. The delay was attributed to permissions from the traffic department and time taken in designing of bolts and expansion joints that will be changed.
In a statement, the state road body said the flyover is structurally sound. "The structure is not damaged and we have not stopped the movement of light vehicles due to the same reason," said an MSRDC official.
Closure of the bridge would lead to traffic diversions and could cause jams on other roads between Thane and south Mumbai.
Traffic Police Joint Commissioner, Amitesh Kumar said, "To avoid inconvenience, heavy vehicles can take the route below the flyover. From April 20, the flyover will remain shut for two months for everyone. We have barricaded the place so far and once the repair works are done, we shall inform to the public,"
Traffic officials said their main concern at present is increased congestions at Elphinstone Bridge, Jacob Circle, and vehicular movement around Lower Parel and Mahalaxmi, particularly after Delisle Bridge was shut. Closure of Sion flyover will make traffic management during peak hours more challenging.
The repair work includes changing of bearings and expansion joints on the 1.1-km-long flyover that was constructed in the late 1990s. Nearly 15,000 vehicles ply on it daily. The cost of repairs is around Rs 6 crore, and MSRDC has already appointed a contractor for the job.
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