New bridge across Cooum River to improve connectivity for western zones during monsoon

The new bridge on Sannathi Street, connecting Poonamallee High Road and Union Road in Nolambur, is set to improve commuting in the western parts of the city.

Maduravoyal resident D. Saravanan said the bridge, inaugurated on Friday, was expected to improve connectivity between residential areas and educational institutions in the city.

“The water level in the causeway used to be more than three feet. Students had to take a circuitous route to school during the previous monsoon. This bridge has been the demand of residents for the past few years,” he said.

Gnana Seelan, another resident, said the bridge could accommodate more than 10,000 motorcycles and two thousand cars per day, easing traffic congestion in other stretches.

Ward 143 councillor V. Rajan said the bridge replaced a low-level causeway that was always inundated during rain, disrupting traffic.

“Residents had demanded a high-level bridge. Maduravoyal, Nolambur and Mogappair residents will now get better connectivity,” he said.

Residents have complained about the risk to motorists crossing causeways across the Cooum River during the Northeast monsoon. A few motorists died in the previous monsoon while trying to cross the causeways across the Cooum river. Neighbouring villages such as Adayalampattu will get better connectivity because of the inauguration of the bridge. The bridge measures 120 metre in length and 12 metre in width.

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the bridge on Friday in the presence of Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply Minister K.N. Nehru, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, Sriperumbudur Member of Parliament T.R. Baalu, Mayor R. Priya and Deputy Mayor M. Magesh Kumaar.