Main arm of Goripalayam flyover to be commissioned by January-end

In all probability, traffic movement at Goripalayam junction will become much smoother by January-end when the Highways Department officials have planned to commission the main arm of Goripalayam flyover connecting Tamukkam junction with East Veli Street near Nelpettai.

The other arm connecting Goripalayam junction and Sellur, measuring 700 metres, is likely to commissioned by mid of February.

Chief Engineer Highways (Construction and Maintenance), K.G. Sathyaprakash, along with Superintending Engineer (Madurai), Selvanambi, inspected the on-going construction work of the flyover along with a new bridge across Vaigai River, on Sunday.

“The Chief Engineer has instructed us to complete the main arm work by January-end,” said Divisional Engineer, Highways, M. Mohanagandhi.

As soon as the work of the new arm — measuring 1.3 km, including the river bridge, parallel to Albert Victor Bridge — gets over, it would be thrown open for public use. It would carry one-way traffic from Tamukkam junction to East Veli Street sparing the road-users from having to halt for a prolonged time for signal at the Goripalayam junction.

“Traffic in this direction carries the most number of vehicles through the junction and hence, the flyover will drastically reduce congestion,” he added.

Similarly, vehicles coming from Palam Station Road towards Alagarkoil Road would be allowed up to Goripalayam junction to go to Tamukkam junction.

“This lane of Alagarkoil Road between Goripalayam junction and Tamukkam has been widened enough (10.5 metres) to ensure smooth movement of the entire traffic from Sellur and Yanaikkal junction,” the Divisional Engineer said.

While the bridge would run in the middle of carriage way of Alagarkoil Road, another service road of 7.5 metres would run along American College premises for vehicles from Tamukkam ground to reach Panangal Road, especially Government Rajaji Hospital.

At present, vehicles from both sides were being diverted at Palam Station Road junction through narrow F.F. Road to reach Tamukkam ground for facilitating construction work of the flyover.

As part of the ₹210-crore project, junction improvement works would be taken up at Goripalayam junction and at Nelpettai junction to ensure free flow of traffic.

Meanwhile, the newly-constructed ramp (at Goripalayam junction) for the Albert Victor bridge is likely to be commissioned by Sunday night.

“The ramp has now been moved to its left away to facilitate space for the flyover structure,” he added. Hitherto, vehicles from the junction are passing through a temporary ramp constructed near the entrance of Meenakshi Government Arts College for Women.