Vikhroli bridge design leading to jams, say irked commuters

Hampering traffic flow

- Sabah Virani

MUMBAI: Traffic on the three-lane, 615-metre Vikhroli bridge, which connects the LBS Marg with the Eastern Express Highway (EEH), has surged since it was opened around two weeks ago. But commuters are already complaining about a fresh set of problems including extremely slow-moving traffic on the bridge, winding traffic jams on approach roads and chaos at the eastern end of the bridge, located close to a junction that connects various neighbourhoods in Vikhroli with the EEH and the railway station.

Traffic snarls are common at the western end of the bridge which links up with LBS Marg, as vehicles wait for the signal to turn green to disembark from the bridge onto the road. During peak hours, motorists have to wait for 20-30 minutes, with traffic spilling over onto the adjacent lane, meant for vehicles headed in the opposite direction.

The eastern end of the bridge that links up with the EEH presents a far greater problem as it is located close to a junction with too many intersecting roads and without a traffic signal.