CHENNAI: Even as widening of the Old Mahabalipuram Road into six-lane from Siruseri to Poonjeri yet to take off owing to issues in land acquisition, to reduce traffic congestion, Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC) has decided to build two bypass roads along OMR at Kelambakkam and Thiruporur at a total cost of `201 crore.
Though the two bypass roads were proposed as part of Phase II widening of OMR road into six-lane from Siruseri to Poonjeri, TNRDC decided to build the bypass roads even before completing the Phase II. This was done as vehicles pile up at Kelambakkam and Tiruporur junctions on OMR.
The two bypass roads are expected to provide a big relief to motorists heading to Mahabalipuram and will reduce the travel time by at least by 30 minutes, according to TNRDC sources.
The 15-km long six lane bypass road will connect Pudur with Thandalam, after passing through OMR road between Kelambakkam and Tiruporur.
The Kelambakkam bypass road would start at Pudur in OMR and end at Thaiyur village covering 4.67 km without entering the Kelambakkam junction, while the 7.45 km long Thiruporur bypass road will connect Kalavakkam village with Thandalam, skipping Tiruporur junction.
With a major bridge and two minor bridges, the road would pass through Pudur, Kelambakkam, Thaiyur B, Kalavakkam, Tirupporur and Thandalam villages.
The 33-metre (width) six-lane dual carriage way bypass will have 10.5 metre carriageway on both sides, along with 1.5 metres paved and two metres of earthen shoulder for two-wheelers and pedestrians.
For the college students and locals of Pudur, a pedestrian underpass will come at Hindustan Engineering College in Pudur, while vehicular underpass will come at Kovalam road providing connectivity to East Coast Road.
The Kelambakkam bypass road will have an opening at median at OMR Amman Temple and near an open land in the next two km.
The Tiruporur bypass road will have openings at medians at Kalavakkam village salt extraction area, near OMR Amla and Coconut Garden, SARE apartment, salt factory and Balaji Engineering college, sources said.
According to official records, the vehicle volume in OMR exceeded 75,000 a day and it is expected to reach one lakh by next three to five years. The project is to be completed in 24 months from the date of commencement.
“Payment is being settled for the villagers to complete land acquisition for Phase II widening of OMR. As for bypass roads, tenders have been floated and work would commence after completing the administrative procedures,” the official said.