Mumbai: The BMC successfully installed the final 60-meter span connecting the southern carriageway of Mumbai Coastal Road from the Worli end to the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL) in the early hours of Wednesday.

This crucial work, originally planned for last week, was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions. With the span now in place, the civic body will accelerate asphalting and lane marking processes. Once completed, the bridge is expected to be operational by January 2025.

As part of the final two bridge sections connecting the north-bound carriageway of the Coastal Road to the BWSL, a 44 metre span was installed in the first week of November. With the installation of a 60-metre span the northbound and southbound connectors linking the coastal road to BSWL are complete.

The 120-meter arch bridge and the 46-meter adjoining BWSL spans were erected in April. This connector, like the one already in operation, consists of four spans in total.

"With the installation work now completed, the only remaining tasks are asphalting, electrical work, and lane marking. All of these are expected to be finished by next month. So far, 94% of the work on the coastal road has been completed. Currently, the connector to the Sea Link, which is open to traffic, allows motorists to travel directly from the Coastal Road to the BWSL. However, for motorists coming from the BWSL towards Marine Drive, they must exit near the Sea Link and then re-enter the Coastal Road, as the two-way connector has not yet been made operational. Once the remaining work is completed we have plans to open the entire coastal road in the new year," said a senior civic official.

The southbound carriageway of the connector, linking Marine Drive to the Sea Link, was opened to traffic on September 13. The 10.58-km Coastal Road stretches from the Princess Street Flyover at Marine Drive to the Worli end of the BWSL.

The ambitious project, with an investment of Rs.13,983 crore, commenced in October 2018. The Coastal Road has reduced travel time by 70% and fuel consumption by 34%, claims the civic official.