U-bridges worsen OMR congestion

CHENNAI: Critical design flaws in the two U-bridges built at a cost of 108 crore threaten to keep Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) perpetually congested.
The first, built with just two narrow lanes at Indira Nagar, is currently used only by cars, autorickshaws, and two-wheelers. "Once buses start using it, they will occupy the entire width, leaving no space for trailing vehicles and causing traffic pileups, especially during peak hours," said R Rajmurugan, a transportation engineer.
The Tamil Nadu Road Development Corporation (TNRDC) project aimed to eliminate the TIDEL Park traffic signal by constructing twin U-bridges, allowing uninterrupted movement in both directions. However, even after their opening, the signal remains operational. TNRDC project director D Baskara Pandian and chairman R Selvaraj did not respond to queries.
Under the original plan, vehicles from Thiruvanmiyur to Madhya Kailash were to turn left, use the new U-bridge, and continue straight. Similarly, vehicles from SRP Tools heading towards Thiruvanmiyur were expected to bypass the TIDEL Park signal, use the old U-bridge before merging back on to OMR, and take a left.
For this to work, OMR needs six lanes, but near Taj Wellington Hotel, only two lanes are available in each direction due to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) barricades. Closing the signal now would overload the narrow old U-bridge.
CMRL has promised to complete construction in six to seven months, after which the traffic police plan to conduct trial runs by closing the TIDEL Park signal. R Satish Thoraipakkam said, "Adding to the congestion, a bus stop and an auto stand just 150m before the new bridge's ascending ramp cause frequent bottlenecks. Auto drivers picking up passengers make abrupt lane changes, cutting across traffic towards Madhya Kailash. Traffic police have promised action to address this issue."