Port–Maduravoyal Elevated Corridor: Lower Deck to Be Toll-Free for Local Vehicles
The upcoming 21-km Port–Maduravoyal double-decker elevated corridor will offer relief to city commuters, as the lower deck will be toll-free for local traffic. Only freight vehicles using the upper deck to reach Chennai Port will be required to pay toll.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) plans to complete the project by November 2027.
According to Virender Sambyal, Regional Officer of NHAI in Chennai, the design separates city traffic from port-bound heavy vehicles. The lower deck will be used by regular motorists within the city, while the upper deck will act as a dedicated freight corridor, allowing container trucks and heavy vehicles to travel directly to Gate 10 of Chennai Port without mixing with city traffic.
Out of the total 21 km stretch, nearly 15.5 km runs along the Cooum River. For the construction, around 9,500 precast concrete bridge segments are being manufactured at a casting yard in Chembarambakkam. About 800 segments have already been produced, and they will be assembled using launching girders once the pier foundations are ready.
To speed up the work, construction is currently being carried out for around 11 hours a dayfive hours during the day and six hours at night - with the support of traffic police. NHAI has also requested the state government and the city police to allow the work to continue for up to 16 hours daily to complete the project faster.
In terms of design, the 7-km stretch from Maduravoyal to Koyambedu will have a single deck, while the remaining 14 km up to the port will feature the double-decker structure. Vehicles entering the flyover at Maduravoyal for city travel will exit near Napier Bridge, while the upper deck will run as a six-lane highway directly to Chennai Port.
Entry and exit ramps are planned at Sivananda Salai, College Road, Spur Tank Road and Koyambedu. The lower deck will be a four-lane road with a width of 26 metres, while the upper deck will be 23 metres wide. The corridor will also pass above 16 existing flyovers and two road overbridges.
The project, estimated to cost ₹3,570 crore, was first launched in 2010 but was stopped in 2016. It was later revived in 2023 following requests from the Tamil Nadu government and the Chennai Port Authority.
Officials also inspected 114 pillars that were built in 2011. After a detailed structural review, 12 pillars were found unsuitable and will be demolished, while the remaining pillars will be used for the ongoing construction.
