Get ready for traffic snarls on Vashi bridge
The work was postponed twice. Earlier, it was decided to start repairs on January 24, which was later changed to February 1 this year.
Mumbai: The existing Thane creek bridge aka Vashi bridge is undergoing repairs from Saturday with the work undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD). Commuters will be affected as the existing bridge will be made one-way for ongoing repairs. Traffic will also be diverted to the old Thane creek bridge. The work which began on Saturday, will go on till February 23, confirmed PWD officials.
A PWD official said, “Work of expansion of joints will be undertaken in these 20 days. Around five joints of the bridge will be taken up for expansion.” An expansion joint or movement joint is an assembly designed to safely absorb heat-induced expansion and contraction of construction materials, to absorb vibration and hold the parts together. Since these bridges are made of steel, these joints expand and contract depending upon the temperature. The official said, “The work will be carried out on the south-bound part of the bridge, which is towards Mumbai. Thus, the north-bound will be used for movement towards Mumbai.” Meanwhile, movement of light vehicles towards Pune will be allowed on the old bridge. “Heavy vehicles headed for Pune will be diverted via Airoli,” said the official.
The entire cost of the work is Rs 1.5 crore. The work was postponed twice. Earlier, it was decided to start repairs on January 24, which was later changed to February 1 this year.