Chennai: Arm of Adyar junction flyover may be razed – Times of India

CHENNAI: The face of the Adyar junction will change at least for the next five years as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is likely to pull down an arm of a flyover to build twin tunnels and a station below.
The junction is likely to be one of two locations – the other is Radhakrishnan Salai – where tunnels will be built under the pile foundation of flyovers in the 118.9km phase-2 project. Construction for a portion of phase-2 from Power House to Poonamallee is expected to begin later this year and the project is expected to be ready by 2026.
A metro rail official said discussions are underway for the construction of tunnels and a station at Adyar junction under the flyover that connects Adyar with Besant Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur. Since the twin tunnels will cross perpendicular to the flyover, officials said a portion, or an arm of the flyover may be demolished, and its foundation pillars removed.
According to CMRL’s phase-2 map, in corridor-3 from Madhavaram to Siruseri Sipcot, an underground station named Adyar junction will connect Greenways Road metro station and Adyar depot station before the line leads to OMR. “When you are going underground, particularly when a station is going to be built, you have to cut and go as you are crossing under a flyover. So, one or two pillars of the flyover will be removed and will be built again after the metro construction is over,” an official said. CMRL officials said a similar crossing is likely under the flyover on RK Salai close to Royapettah. “All the details are yet to be finalised,” the official added.
Officials said the flyovers may not be closed for traffic during the construction and a steel decking will be erected for smooth flow of traffic. However, heavy vehicles may not be allowed.
A corporation official said CMRL had sought details on pile foundation of flyovers in three other locations – CP Ramasamy Road, Kodambakkam and Bazullah Road. “We have given it to them. They have not told us anything about any other flyover so far,” the official said. “If tunnels are going to be built under flyovers, then there will be a high-level meeting to discuss the structural challenges involved and diversion of traffic. But we do not think flyovers will be closed for traffic during the construction period,” the official added.