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The Greater Chennai Corporation has started the construction of an additional bridge at Arunachalam road in Egmore across the Cooum river. The 10-m-wide bridge aims to decongest vehicular movement along the key road stretch connecting Egmore with Chintadripet. Currently, there is only one bridge, which was earlier known as St Andrew's Bridge, with two lanes off Arunachalam road. Around 4,000 vehicles use this stretch during peak hours, and consequently, it takes at least 10 to 15 minutes to cross the 70 m long bridge. A senior corporation official told the media requesting anonymity that the area badly needed an additional bridge as most Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses, connecting central and southern parts of the city with north Chennai, use the Arunachalam bridge. Bids to construct another two-lane bridge parallel to the existing one were invited at an estimated cost of Rs 9.5 crore, and the tenders were finalised in February. Authorities cleared that there will be no significant traffic diversions during the initial stages of construction, but some adjustments may be needed next year when final bridge decks are taken up. The project is expected to be completed in the next 18 months. Image Source Also read: AUDA plans nine flyovers to tame traffic jams in SP Ring Road, Ahmedabad Also read: Gujarat’s Vishwamitri river project gets National Green Tribunal nod