Expert says shutdown disastrous for traffic MUMBAI: From April 20, the busy Sion flyover on Dr Ambedkar Road will remain shut for traffic for two months as its load-bearings will be replaced. The repairs were due since last October.While motorists are worried that the two-month closure will lead to snarls on Eastern Express Highway as the flyover is a crucial link between the suburbs and the island city, the traffic department is yet to chalk out a diversion route during this period. The flyover links Sion Circle and Chunnabhatti.Movement of heavy vehicles was stopped on the bridge since Thursday 8pm, when a 10x15cm piece of plaster came off a steel plate attached to a railing and fell on the road.Patch-up work was done on Friday and the steel portion painted over. "There is no need to panic as the fallen portion was not a part of the actual bridge," said an official of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).The over 1.1km flyover with 750 metres of viaduct portion has 28 spans of girders and 29 pillars. "The Sion flyover will be closed from April 20 for replacing 170 load-bearings (located between pillars and girders) and expansion joints between girders on top, besides other routine overhaul and repair works," said a statement issued by the MSRDC, which is executing the Rs 1.9-crore overhaul.Such replacement is necessary every 10-15 years to avoid damage to the structure, MSRDC officials said. Sion flyover was commissioned for traffic in 2003.The structural audit of the Sion flyover conducted by IIT-B last year had recommended these repairs. Accordingly, a contractor was appointed.The MSRDC earlier had plans to extend the flyover by adding three lanes. But due to the narrow road width and acquisition issues, the south-bound arm is yet to be built. As a result, one lane of the north-bound flyover has been dedicated for south-bound traffic."The two-month shutdown will be disastrous for traffic. The repairs should have been done months ago," said transport expert Ashok Datar. "Motorists will have to use either Matunga flyover or Santacruz-Chembur Link Road. They could also use the BKC-Eastern Express Highway connector, but odds are that it won't be ready before June." Another alternative for those using Sion flyover would be the Eastern Freeway.Activist A V Shenoy of Mumbai Vikas Samiti said: "This repair work is MSRDC's knee-jerk reaction to the Himalaya foot over-bridge collapse at CSMT. What the city needs is a planned approach to repairs and replacements, and a proper mechanism in place for periodic inspections. In fact, they should start working on a 10- or 15-year plan right away. If, after a proper inspection, it is found that this repair work can be delayed till after the BKC-Eastern Express Highway connector is ready, it should be done."Motorists too are worried about the traffic snarls. "I will have to use the slip road, which will be majorly congested during peak hours. LBS Marg could have been an alternative, but due to Metro work, even that is now reduced to a single-lane," said Rajesh Gupta, a Thane resident.(With inputs from Shaileyi Singhania)

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