The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced that construction of the 4-lane double-tier elevated corridor connecting Chennai Port to Maduravoyal is progressing in full swing and is scheduled for completion by November 2027.
The project, estimated to cost more than ₹3,500 crore, is expected to significantly improve freight movement and urban traffic flow in the city.
The 20.9 Km corridor has been designed with a unique two-level structure to segregate different types of traffic.
The lower tier will cater exclusively to local city traffic and will include 13 ramps at key locations such as Sivananda Salai, College Road, Spur Tank Road and Koyambedu to ease congestion along the Cooum River corridor.
The upper tier will function as a dedicated freight corridor carrying heavy port-bound vehicles and containers directly to Chennai Port Gate-10 without interference from city traffic.
The project will also feature cable-stayed bridges at major junctions, including Napier Bridge, to support the elevated structure and ensure uninterrupted connectivity.
Once completed, the corridor is expected to provide seamless 24/7 highway connectivity and substantially enhance cargo movement efficiency at Chennai Port.
The improved connectivity is projected to increase the port’s cargo handling capacity from the current 53 million tonnes per annum to nearly 200 million tonnes per annum by 2047.
The project was originally initiated in 2010 but was terminated in 2016 before being revived in 2023 following requests from the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Chennai Port Trust.
According to NHAI officials, the project design was upgraded from a single-tier structure to a double-tier corridor, which also contributed to the revision in the project cost.
NHAI officials said large casting yards, including an 80-acre facility at EVP Film City, are being used to manufacture more than 500 pre-cast concrete bridge segments each month.
These segments will be installed using launching girders once the pier foundations are completed, allowing construction to continue throughout the year without disruption during the monsoon season.
The launching operations are expected to commence in 15 days, according to the officials.
Construction work at the site is currently progressing for around 11 hours daily with support from traffic police, and NHAI has requested state authorities to extend construction shifts to 16 hours in order to accelerate progress.
