Bow-String Arch Bridge Connecting Mumbai Coastal Road and BWSL Set for Partial Opening
Mumbai, 3rd September 2024: The “bow-string” arch bridge, which serves as the final connection between the Mumbai Coastal Road and the Bandra Worli Sea Link (BWSL), is slated for a partial opening this month, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials. Mumbai’s municipal commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, confirmed this on Monday.
Once operational, this bridge will enable vehicles to travel seamlessly from Nariman Point to Bandra via the sea link. Currently, the coastal road only extends up to Worli. A civic official stated, “One of the two arms of the arch bridge is almost ready for use, and we anticipate opening it to traffic around or shortly after September 10. Ancillary work, including painting signages and illuminating the structure, is currently in progress.”
Once opened, northbound vehicles from Nariman Point will be able to directly access the Sea Link and exit at Bandra. However, the entry point for southbound traffic will remain at Worli. The official explained, “Northbound vehicles can use the Sea Link without having to exit at the Worli interchange. Meanwhile, southbound vehicles heading toward Nariman Point will continue to enter from the existing points at Worli and Haji Ali.”
The bridge’s initial partial opening was scheduled for the end of July, but heavy rainfall and high tides in Mumbai last month delayed the project. Since the construction involved work in the Arabian Sea, the deadline was extended. However, civic officials noted that the dry spells during July allowed for an acceleration of the bridge’s civil works.
The arch bridges weigh approximately 4,000 metric tonnes and span an average length of 140 meters. Currently, the coastal road is open from 7 am to 11 pm on weekdays.
