Vashi Bridge Update: Repair work postponed, to start from Feb 1 instead of Jan 23

The Navi Mumbai traffic police on Monday issued a circular notifying the change in dates for the Vashi bridge maintenance work. The start date has now been pushed ahead by one week to February 1, 2018.

Earlier, the bridge was supposed to remain shut from January 23 till February 12. However, the traffic department has now pushed the date forward by a week, thereby changing the timeframe when the bridge will remain partially shut for motorists.

The Public Works Department (PWD) will now begin work on the expansion joints from 1 am on February 1 and conclude around midnight on February 21.

Closure details:

During the 20 day period, all vehicles travelling from Navi Mumbai to Mumbai will have to use the Mumbai-Vashi lane, while those going from Mumbai to Navi Mumbai will be diverted to the old Vashi bridge, adjacent to the existing bridge.

“The old bridge can be used only by four-wheelers and light motor vehicles, and emergency vehicles like ambulances and some buses. Heavy vehicles will not be able to use it. We have decided on Airoli bridge as an alternate route for the heavy vehicles,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Nitin Pawar told The Hindu.

Heavy vehicles heading towards Navi Mumbai will have to opt for Eastern Express Highway and turn from Vikhroli to travel towards the Airoli toll naka.

“We are working on trying to make these 20 days as hassle-free as possible by putting up enough notifications and boards near the diversion points,” Senior Police Inspector Satish Gaikwad from Vashi traffic told the daily.

“Due to the heavy vehicles entering the alternate roads, heavy traffic is expected on those routes and we will ensure extra bandobast of policemen at these places,” he added.

The 1.8 km six-lane bridge was constructed by the U.P. State Bridge Corporation in 1997.